living magazine october/november 15

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off to the slopes We intervieW Kate Mosse

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oct | nov 2015

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Editor: Kathryn dobson FEAtUrES Editor: roger Moss AdvErtiSing: Jon dobson Art Editor: nadia van den rym ProdUction MAnAgEr: Justin Silvester

rEgUlAr contribUtorS: Trevor Bridge, Ron Cousins, Sandie George, Emma-Jane Lee, Nikki Legon, Chris Luck and Stig Tomas.

WitH tHAnKS to: John and Gill Bowler, Julia Moss PHotogrAPHy: Shutterstock or Roger Moss unless indicated. covEr iMAgE: Pumpkins © Cora Mueller /Shutterstock PUbliSHEd by: SARL AMM, 2 Rue Buffefeu, 86400 Linazay FRANCE. Poitiers: 533 624 128. PrintEd by: Rotimpres S.A., Pla De L’estany S/N,17181 Aiguaviva, Espagne. dépôt légal: A parution. iSSn: 0753-3454. Living Magazine is free. Living Magazine est disponible gratuitement. All material may not be reproduced without the written permission of SARL AMM. Toute reproduction même partielle du contenu est interdit sans l’accord écrit du magazine. Please ensure you verify that the company you are dealing with is a registered trading company in France and/or else-where around the world. Articles in this issue do not necessarily reflect the views of the magazine.

October/November 2015

Autumn is here and the leaves are turning gold across our beautiful countryside. Now the tourists are mostly gone, it’s time for us to enjoy our surroundings. In fact, it’s the perfect opportunity to take a break and explore the many towns and areas that we have featured in Living Magazine this year. This edition is no different, we take a trip to the coast, visit newly transformed Poitiers, and help you plan your family skiing holiday. We also take some time out to reflect as we learn about The War Graves Photographic Project, remembering those that gave their lives, very poignant as Europe faces difficult challenges ahead.

Do come and find us on Facebook at LivingMagazine.fr where you can talk to us directly - we love to hear your views on the magazine. And don’t forget the wealth of information we have waiting for you on our newly relaunched website www.livingmagazine.fr.À bientôt

56-63MArKEt PlAcEThe best services & suppliers across the region

64WHAt’S onaround the region

For All EditoriAl & SUbScriPtion EnqUiriES: [email protected] or telephone + 33 (0)5 49 87 29 71 For All AdvErtiSing: [email protected] or telephone Jon on +33 (0)5 49 87 29 71 SUbScriPtionS StArt At only €32 For Six EditionS see www.livingmagazine.fr for more information

4SnippetsNews from around the region

14Pardon! More language musings with Emma-Jane Lee

16A Family AffairFinding the perfect skiing holiday for you and your family

22Asian Hornets Ten years on, just what do we know about Asian Hornets and which myths still abound?

22landmarksVille Haute de Chauvigny

26going to townEnjoy the city buzz in Poitiers

28duty of careThe War Graves Photographic Project 33 twist of FateAn interview with best-selling author Kate Mosse

36Shore thing Off season coastal havens

38nikki legon’s cuisine Autumn recipes to tickle your tastebuuds

42Hook, line and Sinker Ron Cousins discusses bream

43the Wheelbarrow gardener Trevor Bridge introduces us to the joy of ‘lasagne beds’

36

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PrActicAl living

49Useful informationand expert advice

52living Property Pages We visit Rochechouart in Haute-Vienne

65UpbeatOur regular look at live music

66 book review with Sandie George

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The extensive improvement works currently underway at the city’s main station are entering the third of four phases and are scheduled to be finished in December. The new main car parking area is now complete and the final finishes are being applied to pavements and open spaces opposite the station while a second car park is built. However, watch out as the circulation around the station continues to be disrupted until the end of October and the car park is no longer free. Elsewhere there has been heated debate about the train service proposed by the LGV operators SNCF

when the new line is complete. The first proposal offered a significantly poorer service than currently which was a shock to the local authorities who have contributed around half of the total €7.5 billion budget. To cut down on journey times, trains would instead pass directly from Paris to Bordeaux with few or no stops. After several rounds of mediation, the latest proposal still sees a reduction in services from those of today, albeit less severe. For Angoulême, the current service is 11.5 return journeys per day. The proposal was seven which negotiations has increased to ten.

GastronomadesNow in its 19th year, Charente’s festival for foodies will be served up from 28 to 29 November. This edition welcomes the winner of Top Chef 2015, Xavier Koenig, amongst other local and national chefs. Enjoy the cook-offs, sample the fare of some of France’s top producers or simply enjoy Angoulême en fête.

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Literary FestivaLsCognac has a wealth of literary festivals this autumn hosting both the Festival Polar and litteratures europeennes Cognac. this year the Festival Polar celebrates its twentieth anniversary from the 16 to 18 october with visiting authors, workshops and conferences. there are prizes for five different categories of crime fiction, including Best international novel, and seven covering film and theatre. Find more information on their website, www.festival-polar-cognac.fr. meanwhile the european Festival is recognising london-based authors from 19 to 22 november and has several writers visiting from the uK including glen Baxter, Rosie Dastgir, John King and J. W. ironmonger. Full details can be found on www.litteratures-europeennes.com.

Piano en ValoisIf you love listening to the piano then you’re in for a treat with the Piano en Valois festival running from 9-20 October. Concerts across the département will be offering a varied programme from jazz to classical and feature both local and international talent. The opening concert is by Roman Borisov from the Novossibirsk Conservatoire in Russia, a prodigious talent at only 12-years-old. The André Manoukian Jazz quartet are performing at the Théâtre d’Angoulême on Thursday 15 October while Tigran Namasyan returns with a 24-voice choir on the 19 October. Tickets cost from 8€ with a free concert for seniors on Wednesday 14th in Angoulême. See www.piano-en-valois.fr.

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HANDS ON INDIAN COOKERY WORKSHOPS WITH REZA MAHAMMAD

www.chezcartier. com [email protected]

Celebrity Chef Reza is delighted to invite you to his Hands on Cookery Workshops at Chez Cartier in the Charente.Learn the art of Indian food, with Reza’s expertise and flamboyant insights as you create the perfect Indian menu.

10h30 - 16h30: lunch enjoyed with wine and shared together with Reza. Cost: 165€ - vegetarian courses & gift vouchers available.Final Course Dates for 2015: 13th, 15th and 17th October | Accommodation is available

AUTUMN COLOUR

FORêT de LA BRACONNe5km east of La Rochefoucauld, this 4,000ha forest contains hornbeams, oaks and other deciduous trees. This vast area is on ‘karst’, a bedrock created by the action of water (in this case the Bandiat river) on limestone, and features many pits and crevasses as well as an abundance of wildlife. The largest pit is La Grande Fosse, over 250m in diameter and accessible by stairs that carry you down 55m. In the 1950s, the forest was home to an American army camp with some structures still evident today. There are many trails and picnic spots and access is from Rivières; tel 05 45 69 96 89.

JeAN AUBOUiN ARBOReTUM AT MOThe-CLedOUA car park on the side of the wooded road marks the entrance to the arboretum created in 1930 on nearly 6ha by forestry engineer Jean Aubouin. Enlarged in 1996, it now covers some 10ha. Choose from one of two circuits and admire the many trees including cedars and Californian redwoods. Information panels along the routes detail many of the 110 species found on the site. It’s open all year round and is free. For more information, contact 05 45 64 71 58.

FORêT de LA BOixeJust south of Mansle, this forest is mostly planted with chalk loving species like oaks,

pines and beech. Don’t miss the dolmen and dry-stone tumulus containing several funeral chambers dating back to 5th/6th century BC. There is also a ruined Templars chapel hidden in the forest. Follow the marked route from the ‘Pierre du sacrifice’ dolmen which has educational panels explaining the change in species from the north (evergreen oaks and maples) to those in the south (sessile oaks and beech). There is also a wildlife hide. After 3km, the Sentier de Dolmen reaches the forest road linking Cellettes to Vervant.

JARdiNs de L’ARgeNTOR AT NANTeUiL-eN-VALLéeMany different areas make up this garden which can be found near the Auberge de l’Argentor. The arboretum was created between 1930 and 1940 by the Charentaise landscaper Eugène Buraud and contains over sixty different species. As well as the arboretum, see waterfalls, fountains, and a wide selection of shrubs and other plants. There is also a play area for children. It’s free and open all year. For more information call 05 45 31 82 67 or ask at Ruffec Tourist Office.

Where in the département can you go to enjoy the beautiful colours of the season? We have a few suggestions...

Charente PoetAfter moving to a half-renovated townhouse in Ruffec with wife Frances, Paul Kirkwood discovered a new passion for poetry. Having never written anything before, Paul has published his first collection ‘Charente Misty Morning’ with poems ranging from the whimsical and light-hearted through romantic verse to more serious topics. The collection is available in local book shops for €10 or via Amazon.

www.livingmagazine.fr

Builder’s mateFor readers fascinated by the architecture of the region as well as those renovating properties, a recent publication detailing the different styles and periods of building will be of interest. ‘L’habitat en Poitou-Charentes : vocabulaire et datation’ has been updated and re-released by Geste in conjunction with the Conseil Régionale. This 48-page spiral-bound book is a practical guide to the rich and diverse heritage of the region helping you date and describe houses and farms. Filled with diagrams and photographs, this book helps with the correct terminology and is a good reference document for those trips to the local builders’ merchant! The book costs 9€ from all good book stores; ISBN 978-2-36746-357-5.

Young adventurersCome along to Tonnay-Charente on the weekend of the 10 and 11 October to meet some real-life adventurers at the 4ème festival des Aventuriers. Hosted by a family who travelled the world with their three young children, adventurers from across France come to share their experiences, dedicate books and much more. Meet Florence and Sylvie who walked 4,000km of Saint Jacques trails, or Paul-Henri who trekked to the source of the Amazon with friend Charles-Antoine. Alice and Andoni went around the world for 7 years on bicycles with two young children, while Sylvie and Florence cycled through Japan in winter. Watch the films of their adventures and be inspired! See the full programme on www.periple.org.

La Rochelle JazzThe Jazz Entre les Deux Tours festival is a regular fixture in La Rochelle’s autumn agenda. Now in its 18th year, the 2015 programme features both emerging talent and confirmed professionals. Between 6 and 10 October, jazz enthusiasts can kick back and enjoy a variety of concerts from Rencontres avec Edith Piaf et Gus Viseur with Richard Galliano on accordion and Sylvain Luc on guitar, through to Motown A Cappella by Opus Jan. There are a number of free concerts from local artists as well as masterclasses and work-shops. Tickets start at 23€ and full details can be found on www.jazz entreles deuxtours.fr.

Pays Royannais are hosting the 38th Dunes et Marais national rally on 9-11 October. 120 off-road teams from across France and the UK will be participating in the event, one of the highlights of the rally championships. Keeping with tradition, the start is on the beach at St Palais sur Mer at 7.45am on Saturday and the teams regroup at Royan, between the port and the town centre. Stages pass through Meschers to Cozes and onto Grézac while Sunday begins at Médis. Winners can be seen arriving at the Médis parc fermé from 4pm with prize-giving scheduled for 6.30pm. See the full programme at www.dunesetmarais.com.

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AUTUMN COLOUR

ARbOReTUM dU MAiL de seUgNe iN JONzAC Close to the town centre, this eight hectare park on the bank of the river Seugne has more than 27 different types of trees including birches, oaks and beeches. There’s also a children’s play area and plenty of wildlife to discover. It’s open all year; tel 05 46 48 49 29 or ask at Jonzac tourist office.

bOis seRvANT AT FONTAiNes-d’OziLLAC Follow the path through the woods which is marked with panels explaining what you are seeing. And there are places to picnic. It’s open all year; tel: 05 46 70 67 13

FOReT de sUzACSpread over 350 hectares, this forest is often referred to as the lungs of Royan. While much is maritime pine, there are also oaks trees and a variety bushes. The forest is criss-crossed by a network of paths for walkers and cyclists and it is open all year. Tel 05 46 05 07 27 or ask at the tourist office at St Georges de Didonnes.

ARbOReTUM seNTieR des seNsAdmire plants and trees that touch all the senses, it won’t just be youreyes that will be stimulated at this unusual arboretum at Saint-Georges-des-Agoûts. It, too, is open all year; tel 05 46 86 02 14.

Where in the département can you go to enjoy the beautiful colours of the season? We have a few suggestions...

Concerned by the plight of the refugees heading to Europe as winter arrives, Living Magazine editor Kathryn Dobson asked her friends to join in collecting warm winter items to give out. However the idea snowballed and soon the Facebook group ‘Calais and Beyond’ had over a thousand members. People were collecting donations from the south to the north of France. “I was overwhelmed with the response, within 24-hours we had set up a network of collections, storage hubs and transporters from Bordeaux to Caens and onto Calais. By encouraging individuals to work together, and by sharing quality information from the various organisations and associations on the ground, we can ensure that our aid can be distributed effectively and efficiently.” The grass-roots group is strictly non-political, welcomes all nationalities and aims to help refugees both within and outside of Europe via donations and funding. If you would like to become involved, join the group on FB: CalaisAndBeyondActionFromFrance

Pumpkins galore!The Chambre d’Agriculture are holding their annual Marché Citrouille on Saturday 31 October from 9am to 9pm in the Place de Verdun, La Rochelle. Find pumpkins as well as many other local specialities in this large farmers’ market. At 3pm children can join in the pumpkin modelling workshop and at 6.30pm there will be pumpkin soup for everyone! http://www.charente-maritime.chambagri.fr/

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new for 2016 - buggs are opening at La Rochelle and Biarritz Airports as well

www.buggscarhire.com

book direct book

buggsfor the best value car hire at Bergerac and Limoges Airports

Lascaux 3After high hopes and twelve years of planning and production, the ‘Lascaux 3’ exhibition in Paris from May to August this year was somewhat of a disappointment. With only 60,000 visitors to the detailed reproduction of the caves against the 120,000 hoped for, the location of the exhibition at the Parc des Expos at the Porte de Versailles has been identified as the issue. “Parisians considered that from the moment it wasn’t in a museum, it was essentially a commercial show of low quality,” explained Director Olivier Retout. ‘Lascaux 3’ opens in Geneva in October at Palexpo but this time it is in partnership with the Geneva Natural History Museum and so hopes are for better ticket sales.

Sarlat Film FestivalOne of the major cinematography festivals in France,

the Festival du Film de Sarlat, has been running for over 20 years and is known for both the celebrities and

producers it attracts as well as the support it gives to lycéens as they prepare for their BAC Specialité Cinéma.

Over the course of one week, more than 600 students and their teachers come from across France to visit this medieval town. Trophies are awarded in ten categories

including feature-length and shorts, and the festival takes place between 10-14 November.

The full programme is available on their website: www.festivaldufilmdesarlat.com.

Festive Fairsshhh, dare we mention the word Christmas? things are starting early in Dordogne with fairs planned from the middle of November. the 10th ‘Foire aux cadeaux’ opens the season at Piegut-Pluviers on 15 November with over 50 stand holders attending. augignac and sarrazac follow on 22 November with their Marchés de Noël. several towns are planning fairs for 29 November including Brantôme, Jumilhac- le-Grand and Creysse. the festive season will soon be here!

AUTUMN COLOUR

FORêT de LA dOUbLeThis huge forest covers about 500km2 of land to the west of Périgueux and has a long history of providing a safe haven for those fleeing trouble. While much of the forest is private, the area around Le Grand Etang de La Jemaye offers forest walks and leisure activities.

PROMeNAde LUdiqUe de FAbiOFor an easy walk with

children, follow the signs from the Salle des Fêtes at Finsac near Sarlat. This 5km route follows the river before heading into the forest where there are educational panels and nest boxes. The details of this walk and others across Dordogne can be downloaded from http://rando.dordogne.fr.

The Dordogne département was once almost completely forest and today some 45 per cent of the territory remains wooded so there are plenty of places to enjoy the beautiful autumn hues.

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Wildlife 2015As the Festival International du Film Ornithologique in Ménigoute heads into its fourth decade, it continues to grow in stature. Held in a commune with less than 1,000 residents, the annual film festival has developed into a national event where you will find international documentary producers side by side with local wildlife enthusiasts. In 2015, 9 cinematography awards are once more being judged by an international panel headed by Martine Todisco known for her work on ‘Océans’ (2009) and ‘Les animaux amoureux’ (2007). Alongside the public screenings of the final selection of films, which come from over ten countries, are art exhibitions, conferences, local nature visits and the Forum where associations, editors, specialist equipment providers and local producers come together in a huge marquee. The festival runs from 27 October to 1 November and is free to visit except for the film screenings and certain activities. Full details can be found on www.menigoute-festival.org along with a detailed programme to download or email: [email protected], tel 05 49 60 90 09.

Since 2009, the Hope Association has been working to support an-imals in need. President Verity Lineham is keen to build on the work of founding members, hav-ing taken the helm earlier in 2015. “We’re a fundraising team,” she explains. “The biannual book sales in Clussais-La-Pommeraie (79) always have an amazing turn out, and with the support of the local community, we’re able to help a growing number of ref-uges, associations and animal welfare causes in SW France. It’s how we can help most efficiently and effectively. As always, that depends on the generosity of both our volunteers and our clients, and seeing just how much every-one cares always makes me in-credibly proud.”

There have been two other developments in 2015: the opening of two Hope Association charity shops, and the new pop-up

book sales. Shop 79 is open on Tuesdays and the last Saturday of the month at 19 rue de la moin-auderie, 79120 Lezay. Shop 87 is open on Wednesdays and the first Saturday of the month at Route 66, 109 avenue de la libération, 87320 Bussière-Poitevine.

Hope’s biannual book sale weekend takes place on 16-18 October from 10am-4pm. Not only will you find thousands of books from 1€ each, you will also find a selection of the region’s best food wagons and artisans. For full details, see www.hopeassoc.org.

HOPE Association


Art Expo The Conseil Générale de la Vendée is hosting a retrospective of the artist Boissegur until 1 december at la Vendéthèque at la Châtaigneraie. Since the 1980s, Boissegur has exhibited her works across france and internationally, winning many prizes and to much acclaim. during this time, her style has evolved although she continues to be inspired by enigmas and humour, and a world between dreams and reality. The exhibition is free to enter and there will be a film in french and english as well as workshops and an opportunity to meet the artist. for more information, telephone 02 51 52 56 56.

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Autumn plant fairThe Domaine de Péré is renowned for the plant and garden fairs held in the grounds of this stately 16th century manor house. Held twice a year, the autumn fair will see a staggering 120 professionals and enthusiasts exhibiting. This year 600m2 will be under cover and exhibitors will be arriving from across France. As well as nurseries, you will find stalls featuring local gastronomy, well-being and artisans making it a great day out for the whole family plus there are refreshments available on-site all day. Located south of Niort and just north of the Charente-Maritime/Deux-Sèvres border, the Domaine is easily accessible from the A10 and now receives up to 5,000 visitors to each fair from across the region. This year’s Fête d’Automne des Plantes et Jardin will be held on the 17-18 October from 10am to 6pm. Entry costs 6€ with under-16s free. See www.fetedesplantespere.fr for more information or ring 05 49 09 71 32. Domaine de Péré, 79360 Prissé la Charrière.

TheatriVasles (79) are presenting their first Ten-Minute Play Festival from 16-18 October. Tickets 10€, see www.theatrivasles.com

All Saints Vendée’s Autumn Fayre will be held on Saturday 17 October from 10am-4pm at Chapelle Palluau (85). Stalls, crafts, flower arrangements and much more plus the fish & chip van!

DIARY DATEs!

AUTUMN COLOURARbOReTUM de LA CROix VeRTe Visit solo or take a guided tour and discover 2,000 species of trees and shrubs at Beaulieu-Sous-Bressuire (79). This 15ha park is open all year and there are tours on some Sundays until the end of October - check for details. Tel: 05 49 72 35 62; www.tourisme-bocage.com

FORêT d’AizeNAy (85)Just 16km NW of La Roche-sur-Yon, this 228-hectare forest is criss-crossed with signposted walks. On the eastern side is the Sentier de Souvenir, a moving memorial commemorating five US airmen who crashed in 1944. Open all year round.

FORêT de Chizé (79) This vast forest of 3,435 hectares is a wonderful place to see autumn

colour in the heart of an ancient setting. Back in the Middle Ages this was the biggest forest in the region.

ARbOReTUM dU CheMiN de LA déCOUVeRTe Stroll along the 6km of track around Melle (79) and pass through this fine arboretum of 1,800 trees and shrubs from across the world. Go on your own or organise a group of five or more people for a guided tour. It is open all year. Tel: 05 49 27 56 88; www.chemindeladecouverte.fr

Where can you go to enjoy the beautiful colours of the season? We have a few suggestions...

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CaricaturefestivalSaint-Just-le-Martel, just east of Limoges, has been holding Le Salon de la Caricature for more than thirty years during which time it has welcomed many of France’s top cartoonists. This year will be no different when more than 200 cartoonists from around the world descend on the small town which is home to only 2,500 residents. From 26 September to 4 October, exhibitions, workshops and conferences will be held on the theme ‘La liberté d’en rire’, the freedom to laugh. Following the terrorist attack on Charlie Hebdo earlier this year, there will be a hommage to the cartoonists killed. Winner of the 2014 ‘Prix de l’Humour Vache’ Rayma Suprani will be exhibiting her work and there will be a special exhibition ‘Cartooning for Peace’ supported by 125 of the world’s leading cartoonists representing over 40 nationalities. Entry costs 6€ and the doors open from 9am to 7pm. The full programme can be found on www.st-just-humour.fr

The Salon des Vins et de la Gastronomie at La Roche-Posay (86) is celebrating its 20th anniversary

this year between13-15 November. The show features local specialities as well as inviting participants from as far away as Savoie. www.larocheposay.com

La Frairie des petits ventres at Limoges (87) will be held on 16 October. The city’s butchers will exhibit their wares along la rue de la Boucherie providing an ideal opportunity to come along and taste sausages, patés, clafoutis and many other local and regional specialities.

Festival International d’Art Lyrique de Vivonne (86) runs between 23-25 October and is an opportunity to hear talented opera singers from Europe and further afield compete to win one of the several titles on offer. See www.art-lyrique.org.

DIARY DATEs!

After many months of fund-raising, a milestone has been reached in the project to build Europe’s first elephant sanctuary. The purchase of a 28 hectare wooded site at Bussière-Galant (87) has been agreed for €278,500 including fees. Furthermore, there is the possibility of purchasing adjoining land in the future. Tony Verhulst who is behind the ambitious project with partner Sofie Goetghebeur, is thrilled: “We are delighted to be working with people who have faith in the project.” In order to raise awareness of the project, an elephant is greeting visitors to Limoges

airport this autumn. Life-size elephant model Miss Elly is the creation of local artist Em Cleo Bryant and can be found just beside the airport’s terrace. www.elephanthaven.com

Poppy AppealThe Linazay branch of the Royal British Legion has already been hard at work fund raising for this year’s Poppy Appeal. So far 1,700€ has been collected. In addition, member Bob Liddiard took part in the London to Paris Royal British Legion Cycle Ride in September and won the yellow jersey for most funds raised by an individual participant. At the moment his fund stands at an outstanding 5,000€. This year’s Poppy Appeal theme is ‘LIVE ON - To the memory of the fallen and the future of the living’ and Poppy Boxes will be in place by 10 October with a full list of locations on www.rblpoitou-charentes.fr.

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AmericAn cousinsThe Pays Loudunais to the north of Vienne has strong links with Acadia, once a colony of New France in North America that included parts of eastern Quebec, modern-day Maine down to the Kennebec River. Many settlers were sent to the region in the 17th century. Les Cousins d’Amérique festival celebrates these links to the Québécois and Cajun cultures (after the settlers moved on to Louisiana) with their Poitevin roots through a series of concerts, films, conferences and exhibitions over four days in and around Loudon. The festival runs between 15-18 October and the full programme can be downloaded from http://laeta.fr/.

AUTUMN COLOURARbOReTUM AT NeUviLLe-dU-POiTOU (86) Pull on your hiking shoes and take the three kilometre walk along an abandoned railway line. It’s lined with over 400 different types of trees and shrubs. Nearby are the vineyard trail, vineyards and wine storehouses. It’s open all year and is free.

PROMeNAde de bLOssAC Walk around the grounds of the chateau that once belonged to Count Blossac at Lusignan (86). From the hill overlooking the Vonne river you can see the forest that once was the hunting ground of the Lusignan nobility. It’s open all year and is free. For more information see www.lusignan.fr.

ARbORéTUM de LA JONChèRe sAiNT MAURiCe (87)Created in 1884, this arboretum extends over 70ha and it holds a number of exotic species now over a hundred years old. Many varieties originate from the east of America as well as Asia and they can be admired from many pathways or you can follow the signposted walks, one is 6.5km and the other 8km. www.tourisme-ambazacbessines.fr

Les hAUTs de bUJALeUf (87)Follow the signposted path through the forest before reaching panoramic views of the Maulde valley. At the heart of the Parc Natural Régional Périgord-Limousin, the route is 11.5km long or there is a shorter 6km route along the river. Download the route at www.tourisme-limousin.net.

JARdiNs de LA CLOUèRe AT UssON-dU-POiTOU (86) Split into three zones, it includes a partly wild area planted with many trees including oaks, ash and a plantation of willow. A wooden pontoon will keep your feet dry and there is a play area for children. www.ussondupoitou.fr

Where can you go to enjoy the beautiful colours of the season? We have a few suggestions...

Du Québec, de l’Acadie et de la Louisiane, le festival reçoit depuis huit ans nos Cousins d’Amérique. Festival francophone et itinérant, il vous invite à un voyage musical dans cinq communes du Pays Loudunais autour des cultures québécoises, acadiennes et cajuns et de leurs racines poitevines. Quatre jours durant, à la rencontre des cultures francophones d’outre-Atlantique qui font la part belle à la musique, venez profiter de concerts, de films documentaires,… Rencontres et convivialité au rendez-vous !

Gwenael Kivijer, président de l’association Laeta

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Quelques jours après le retour triomphal de l’Hermione, amarrée à son port d’attache une fois sa traversée historique de l’Atlantique accomplie, la 8e édition du festival Les Cousins d’Amé-rique prolonge avec bonheur la présence du rêve américain en Poitou-Charentes. Les accents d’Acadie, du Québec et de Louisiane seront au rendez-vous du 15 au 18 octobre en territoire Loudunais pour 3 jours dédiés à la francophonie sous toutes ses formes : musique, cinéma, conférences, gastronomie…Un grand merci à tous les bénévoles qui donnent de leur temps pour la réussite de ce beau festival. Ils participent ainsi à la vivacité de la Francophonie et au rayonnement culturel de notre Région.Très beau festival à tous et bienvenue à nos cousins d’Amérique !

Jean-François MacairePrésident de la Région Poitou-Charentes

C’est autour de la musique du Québec, de l’Acadie, de la Louisiane et du Poitou que s’arti-cule ce festival itinérant qui se déroule dans cinq communes du Pays Loudunais. Le festival « Les Cousins d’Amérique » raconte les liens affectifs et familiaux qui existent entre la région Loudunaise et les cousins d’outre-Atlantique. Les Acadiens, pionniers venus principalement des provinces de l’ouest de la France, formèrent la première communauté de race blanche en Amérique du Nord. Mais l’Acadie fut vite tributaire des mauvaises relations entre la France et l’Angleterre, celle-ci déporta massivement les Acadiens en Louisiane, où ils sont devenus les Cajuns, mais aussi sur le reste des colonies anglaises de l’époque et même en Poitou-Charentes.

Cet événement est une occasion unique pour certains de retrouver leurs racines et partager l’histoire commune avec le spectacle vivant. Merci à tous les acteurs dévoués à ce festival,

public, artistes, associations et tous les accompagnateurs de l’aventure humaine…Bruno Belin

Président du Département

La 8e édition du festival Les Cousins d’Amérique (Québec, Acadie, Louisiane) repart de plus belle cette année en Pays Loudunais. Ce festival est implanté sur un territoire de départ de « mi-grants » français vers le nouveau monde dès le XVIIe siècle, puis territoire de retour pour certains. Des maisons acadiennes d’Archigny au Pavillon du Québec d’Angliers, en passant par la Maison de l’Acadie de La Chaussée, sans oublier bien sûr la ville de Loudun, le nord-Vienne est riche de ces histoires humaines qui lient aujourd’hui les gens de chaque bord de l’océan Atlantique. Un grand merci à Laeta, ses adhérents, ses bénévoles, qui vont nous permettre de vivre à travers ce festival des moments festifs, conviviaux, culturels et musicaux sur le territoire loudunais.Bons spectacles à tous.

Joël DazasPrésident de la CCPL, Maire de Loudun

Édito des partenaires institutionnels

Édito du 8e Festival Les Cousins d’Amérique

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ateLieR 1 : vendRedi 18H à 19H30 anGLieRs, paviLLon du québecateLieR 2 : saMedi 10H30 à 12HanGLieRs, paviLLon du québecateLieR 3 : diMancHe 14H à 15HLoudun, espace cuLtuReL

Les staGes sont à 15 € pouR Les adHéRents à L'association Laeta.

cHœuR épHéMèRe avec Les fRèRes beRtHiauMe de RéveiLLons tRois ateLieRs du vendRedi au diMancHe

Pour la première fois au festival, ce chœur d’un jour, formés de chan-teurs amateurs ou confirmés, pré-sentera au public un programme vocal inédit de chants à répondre québécois d’après le répertoire du groupe RéVeillons qui, à cette occasion, l’accompagnera sur scène.Le temps de trois ateliers de pra-tique avec RéVeillons vous serez transportés par cette expérience vocale et conviviale !Quel que soit votre niveau, vous êtes cordialement invités ! Venez chanter, venez participer !GRatuit

vioLon québécois avec eMManueLLe boutHiLLieR

bLue note saMedi 9H30 à 12H30Sachez tenir l’violon dans l’bon sens, ainsi qu’l’archet, le reste viendra.Ouvert à tous : débutantsou confirmés.Places limités à 12 personnes.Prévoir casse-croûte.taRif : 20 € (incLuant L’entRée au baL du soiR)

Les haricots sont pas saLés, Musiciens cajuns en Louisiane, 1979 Témoins d’une époque et d’une culture peu représentée, Philippe Krümm et Daniel Rouiller livrent un journal photographique rare et personnel.Un ouvrage au confluent du carnet de bord, du témoignage historique et géographique ou encore récit lu-dique et coloré d’une histoire de la musique populaire.Été 1979. Les photographes Philippe Krümm et Daniel Rouiller partent à la rencontre des musiciens cajuns dans le Bayou américain. Ils re-viennent avec une série d’images hors du temps et racontent le festival de Lafayette, les bals créoles, les combats de chiens, les concours amateurs d’accordéon

ou bien encore les concerts cajuns improvisés. À propos du livre :Photographies de Philippe Krümm et Daniel RouillerPréface de Marc Savoy224 pages, 170 X 240 mm Février 20142000 exemplairesÉditions Silène

quadRiLLes du poitou ou du québec paviLLon du québec saMedi de 14H à 15H45 :Quadrilles du Québec avec les frères Berthiaume.16H à 17H45 : Quadrilles du Poitou avec Maxime Chevrier et Mickaël Auger.Ouvert à tous : débutantsou confirmés.taRif : 20 € (incLuant L'entRée au baL du soiR).

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ou bien encore les concerts cajuns improvisés. À propos du livre :Photographies de Philippe Krümm et Daniel RouillerPréface de Marc Savoy224 pages, 170 X 240 mm Février 20142000 exemplairesÉditions Silène

quadRiLLes du poitou ou du québec paviLLon du québec saMedi de 14H à 15H45 :Quadrilles du Québec avec les frères Berthiaume.16H à 17H45 : Quadrilles du Poitou avec Maxime Chevrier et Mickaël Auger.Ouvert à tous : débutantsou confirmés.taRif : 20 € (incLuant L'entRée au baL du soiR).

RéseRvations. Maison du Tourisme en Pays Loudunais de Chalais Aire de repos de la BriandeTél. 05 49 22 22 22. Office de tourisme de Loudun2, Rue des MarchandsTél. 05 49 98 15 96. Blue Note Café de Loudun3, Place Porte de ChinonTél. 05 49 98 10 72. Association Laeta Tél. 06 14 62 75 52

La réservation n’est effective qu’à réception du chèque correspondant au montant de chaque concert, libellé à

l’ordre de Laeta, accompa-gné d’une enveloppe timbrée pour le retour de vos billets.Le règlement est à envoyer à l’adresse suivante avant le 10/10/15 :Association Laeta 21, Gençay 86230 Sérigny .Merci d’indiquer vos nom, prénom, ville et courriel et/ou téléphone.

taRifs des conceRts 12 €, tarif réduit 10€ (demandeurs d’emploi et personnes handicapées.) Gratuité aux moins de 18 ans.

Forfait 3 jours : 28 €(vendredi-samedi-dimanche)

Gratuit :Cinéma, afters, conférences, apéro-concerts au Blue Note Café, ateliers du chœur éphémère.

Stages : 20 €Adhérents :15 €

Adhésion :Soutien au festival et à l’association Laeta : 10 €

Ouverture des portes 1/2h avant le début des spectacles.

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Gratuit :Cinéma, afters, conférences, apéro-concerts au Blue Note Café, ateliers du chœur éphémère.

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14 | living Language

Emma is a jack-of-all-language-trades, writing

English textbooks, translating, marking exam

scripts and teaching languages. She lives near

La Rochefoucauld with her growing menagerie.

See www.english-tuition.weebly.com

T

he harvest moon may be a time of plenty, and it’s true that it brings us plenty of expres-sions as well. You might have

thought I’d be grasping at straws to find expressions about crops but they’re defi-nitely ripe for the picking. The rewards will certainly be yours to harvest.

Like English, French has many expressions with straw, la paille. Some are very similar: in English, you draw the short straw and in French on tire à la

courte paille. There are many others that are a little different. For instance, you can say “c’est une paille!” which literally means “it’s a straw!” This expression means two things: a tiny amount, or an enormous amount. If someone tells you they’ve been in France for une paille, they could have been here days, or they could have been here for what feels like ages. Often, you will find people use it for time, but not always.

Another expression you might want to use if you know someone quick to find fault in others is “It’s the straw and the beam”, c’est la paille et la poutre. This refers to the speck and the log in the Bible and when you see the whole expression, it makes much more sense: “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the log in your own?” Quite a lot simpler as c’est la paille et la poutre!

You may also hear of a straw fire, un feu

de paille. A straw fire doesn’t burn for very long and so this means something akin to “here today, gone tomorrow” or a one-hit wonder, a flash in the pan.

La paille is also used to mean people

are down to their last few pence, or that they’re really poor. If someone is sur la

paille it means they’re living in misery. They have hit rock bottom. If you’re sleeping on straw, you’re really living in extreme poverty. If you hear of someone who “died on the straw” or mourir sur la

paille, they died penniless. You can also use wheat if you want to

talk about money. In fact, le blé or “wheat” is an informal way of saying cash. If you say someone eats unripe wheat, il mange

son blé en herbe, it means spending money up front before getting anything back in return.

If straw and wheat can refer to money and financial situations, hay can as well. Le foin can be used with the expression “he has hay in his boots” avoir du foin

dans ses bottes which means somebody is absolutely loaded, although the expression is a little dated.

The seeds themselves also give us plenty to talk about. As in English we can say someone is a bad seed, une mauvaise

graine. If you want to separate the wheat from the chaff, you can say séparer le bon

grain de l’ivraie which means exactly the same thing. If someone is a little crazy, you might say il a un grain. Quite why someone would have a grain if they were a little cuckoo is anybody’s guess. Mind you, we can say “he’s nuts!” which I suppose is just as strange.

If someone needs to learn a lesson from their actions, you might tell them Prends-en de la graine. We’d say, “let that be a lesson to you!” You can use it as a comparison with someone who does things well to say, “take a leaf from their book”.

Flour, la farine, is also used in French expressions, such as rouler quelqu’un dans

la farine. This expression which literally means to roll someone in flour is more usually used to mean that someone had the wool pulled over their eyes. You tricked someone or pulled a fast one. You can also say de la même farine if you want to say that two people share the same qualities (and the same faults!) as we might say in English, “cut from the same cloth”, though you can also use this expression to mean that two things are equal; there’s no difference between them.

Hopefully now you have all these expressions, it’s not been the straw that broke the camel’s back and you’ve been able to sort the wheat from the chaff. Where language is concerned, you definitely reap what you sow. Now go and make hay whilst the sun shines!

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Pardon?

Emma-Jane Lee, our language expert, takes her pick of French expressions at harvest time.

L O N D O N S t a n s t e d

L I V E R P O O L

S O U T H A M P T O N

N O T T I N G H A M

B A R C E L O N A

A J A C C I O

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www.livingmagazine.fr | 32www.livingmagazine.fr

16 | living travel


France is blessed with a bewil-dering choice of destinations. In good snow conditions the Alps, the Pyrénées and even the Auvergne all offer great

skiing, but each season favours certain areas. Keeping an eye on live webcam images will give you an idea of an area’s snow cover. Take a careful look at the resort website, too – not merely to check out the terrain on the piste map, but also

to find accommodation close to ski-school meeting points, crêche facilities, shops and services. Finally, look for the ‘Famille Plus’ label, a French ski industry standard awarded to resorts which offer a special welcome to families, backed-up with a range of facilities and activities. Interest-ingly, the demanding standards required for this kind of accreditation relate not only to children but also to older family members, i.e. grandparents. In France

skiing really is a family affair.Now for the fun stuff – where to ski.

In the Pyrénées we’ve been impressed by Peyragudes, a purpose-built resort above the Vallée du Louron, southeast of Tarbes. The pistes are on opposite sides of the mountain, so you can enjoy good snow conditions throughout the day. Ski-school areas are also ultra acces-sible, as is the mountain itself. There’s good intermediate cruising, a snowpark,

A family affair

The coming months will find beaches virtually deserted, but on the snow-capped mountains of France countless families will be outdoors enjoying the kind of fun no-one ever quite outgrows. We show you how and where...WORDS & PHOTOS: RogeR Moss

www.livingmagazine.fr | 32

living travel | 17


steeper runs for confident skiers and the scenery (the opening sequence of ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’ was filmed here) is amazing. Around 8km west of Peyra-gudes, Saint-Lary Soulan is a traditional year-round resort in an accessible valley with high speed gondola lift access to the skiing. Snow cover down below can be patchy, but on the mountain it’s much more dependable, and the mood is super-friendly. If you really want to play safe, though, just up the valley lies Piau Engaly, which boasts the highest altitude skiing in the French Pyrénées, the longest season and a youthful, fun image. On the other hand, for an enjoyable day’s skiing during a good snow season we’d also recommend Hautacam, just above Argelès-Gazost, south of Lourdes. Tiny but adored by generations of locals (and an historic climb in the Tour de France), its simple drag-lifts minimise visual impact on the hauntingly beau-tiful scenery, and make skiing here very affordable.

If you don’t live that close to the Pyrénées then driving to the Alps might not take much longer, and will expand your choice of destinations dramati-

cally. To compete with big-name areas, smaller resorts offer real value and the kind of relaxed, welcoming vibe which year-round working communities pride themselves in offering. Starting in the north, below Geneva, is Le Grand Bornand, a traditional Savoyard ski village linked by shuttle buses to neighbouring La Clusaz, creating lots of varied terrain in the beautiful Massif des Aravis. Both villages are unassuming year-round communities, and offer a warm welcome to visitors. Just east of these two, beyond the Col des Aravis, is the Famille Plus resort of Combloux, whose back-to-nature slopes are much quieter than those of nearby Megève. The village itself is charming and although the ski area is further up the mountain, it’s all family-friendly, with free lift passes for under-5s.

A little further down the Val d’Arly you’ll find Crest Voland, a small ski village with a big heart plus easy access to the hugely underrated Espace Diamant ski area. Here you can ski a complete circuit, passing through places like Notre-Dame de Bellecombe and Les Saisies – another very welcoming ski

Freestyle in Piau Engaly

The traditional Savoyard ski village of Le Grand Bornand

www.livingmagazine.fr www.livingmagazine.fr

18 | living travel

‘‘Albiez-Montrond has modern childcare facilities, safe and accessible pistes and sensational views.’’

Wide pistes above Peyragudes

Ski class, Piau Engaly


living travel | 19

village with lots of facilities and services, plus ski terrain which won’t intimidate beginners and less-confident skiers. It overlooks the Beaufortain valley, which is easily accessible from Albertville and home not only to the world famous AOC Beaufort cheese, but also another ski area. While not huge, Arêches-Beaufort has apartments overlooking a sheltered beginner area plus easy lift access to some quite varied ski terrain, again in beautiful surroundings.

Continuing south and bypassing some pricier, big-name ski areas, we’ll now turn our attention to the Vallée de la Maurienne, starting with Saint-François Longchamp. For young families it’s a solid choice, with a friendly, upbeat village overlooking the pistes, free activi-ties plus reasonable prices for accom-modation, services and lift passes. It has a great lift system, and you can easily ski over the famous Col de la Madeleine into Valmorel. A little further along the valley

is La Toussuire, another great family destination and perhaps the friendliest ski village we’ve ever visited. It offers superb skiing in the huge Les Sybelles ski area and has restaurants and services for most budgets. Close by but not lift-linked is Albiez-Montrond, a smaller, more traditional village with modern childcare facilities, safe and accessible pistes and sensational views. Another year-round community, it’s perfect for a relaxing, unpressured family ski break - and a 20 min drive will get you to Saint-Sorlin d’Arves to ski Les Sybelles.

A little further into the Maurienne lies Valloire, perched below the Col du Galibier and another friendly village community. Long popular with French family skiers, it has a modern lift system plus a well-planned piste network linked with that of purpose built Valmeinier. We love the relaxed (but far from coma-tose) atmosphere and real-world pricing. Beyond the town of Modane you’ll enter

the Haute Maurienne, whose nearest resort of La Norma calls itself ‘Le Village Cosy’. It certainly is, having been planned from the outset with families in mind with everything including the ski-school area very accessible. Prices are very reasonable too, and there’s free covered car parking. Nearby are two more family focused areas – Aussois and Termignon, the latter linked by high speed chair-lifts to the pistes of Val Cenis. The ski terrain tops off at a respectable 2696m, and snowfalls here tend to be pretty reliable (up ahead is the 2764m Col de l’Isèran, beyond which lies Val d’Isère).

Further south you’ll enjoy sunnier skies, combined with surprisingly impressive snowfalls. Tucked away just below Serre Chevalier is the ski village of Puy Saint-Vincent, whose accommodation includes conveniently ski-in/ski-out apartments. The lower pistes are nicely sheltered by forests, while the topmost terrain includes off-piste opportunities for different tastes

LEFT: Champagny VanoiseTHIS PHOTO: Near Les Saisies, Espace Diamant

Affordable on-mountain dining and tomorrow’s skiers at La Norma (right)


20 | living travel


and abilities. A few km away is Briançon, east of which lies Montgenèvre, an all-time favourite of ours, which offers cross-border skiing into Italy (and a huge amount of terrain). The local pistes, though, are varied enough for the whole family to enjoy.

Earlier this year a landslide near La Grave blocked the road from Grenoble, so for the time being access to this area of the southern Alps is via the town of Gap, gateway to several family-focused resorts. Particularly interesting is Orcières 1850, whose 2ha Piou-Piou ski-school area for small children is perhaps the best we’ve seen anywhere in France, while more experienced family skiers enjoy long, high-altitude scenic cruising runs. The village is more down-homey than glam-orous, but it’s friendly and affordable. The

Skiing into Saint-François Longchamp

Young skiers at Le Grand Bornand

Ski instructor at Combloux

Fresh snow between Valloire and Valmeinier

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Tips for Happy family skiersNoTe dowN your owN prioriTies Are any of you ‘first-timers’? Do you prefer your skiing to be relaxing or challenging? Will you be needing ski-school tuition with English-speaking instructors? Will you need childcare facilities? For how long are you able to get away? Having a clear picture of your needs will make choosing your ideal resort much easier.

look for a ‘famille plus’ resorTYou’ll have special facilities, including great ski schools for kids, dedicated infant care facilities and gentler activities for grandparents.

selecT self-caTeriNg accommodaTioNEat what (and when) you like. However, if your accommodation will be catered, check sample menus to ensure that your kids will be happy to eat what will be served.

ski gear: buy or Hire? Young children grow fast, so hiring will ensure that they have the correct sizing. Advance online booking brings discounts, and some accommodation offers guests preferential hire prices. For adults, your own gear will be reassuringly familiar, let you get onto the slopes sooner and will quickly repay the investment. Previous seasons’ models are sold off at attrac-tive discounts, but buy from a ski shop

offering patient and professional boot-fitting. Your feet and your technique will thank you. As for skis, don’t buy on looks alone; test (or hire) different models suited to your own skiing level - on the right skis you’ll suddenly feel more confident and ski better.

prepare your veHicle for wiNTer driviNgIn addition to spare bulbs, fuses and other essential items required by law when driving in France, take a blanket or two, a head-torch, a sturdy ice-scraper and plenty of de-icer. A windscreen cover is invaluable if you’ll be parking outside. As you’re likely to be driving on snow, carry snow-chains or textile ‘chaussettes neige’ if your vehicle won’t take chains – and practice fitting them to your car well before you leave.

save moNey oN ski-passesResort websites feature advance booking special offers and family deals. Part-day and non-consecutive day lift-passes give you time to relax, enjoy other activities or ski in nearby resorts.

coNsider ski-iN/ski-ouT accommodaTioNYou can avoid long and uncomfortable treks in your boots, while carrying both your own and your children’s skis. Check the relevant piste difficulty. You’ll find detailed independent resort reviews of all the areas mentioned (and many more), plus family activities, etc. at www.mountainpassions.com.

same can be said for Pra Loup, above Barcelonnette in the Vallée de l’Ubaye, and you also get to ski in the beautiful Val d’Allos. Both resorts get novices off to a safe start – and when your children are ready to ski with a sense of adven-ture, this is the place in which to do it.

Elsewhere, while lower altitudes mean they’re best enjoyed when low tempera-tures follow heavy snowfalls, there’s

gentle, reassuring skiing on offer in the Jura, the Vosges and closer to home in the Auvergne, where Le Lioran and the linked Famille Plus resorts of Le Mont Dore and SuperBesse have a deservedly loyal following among value conscious family skiers. When the snow is good they’ll surprise you. But wherever you decide to go, we wish you and your family ‘Bon Ski!’.

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28 | living WILDLIFE


I t is believed that the first Asian Hornet was imported to France from China in 2004 in a container of pottery passing through the port of Bordeaux.

Judging from what I see on a day to day basis it’s quite clear that there is still a great deal of confusion for some people with what Asian Hornets are as well as what they look like. This hasn’t been helped by some fairly poor journalism and often mixing the Asian Hornet, Vespa velutina nigrithorax, the species which is present in France, with the Giant Asian Hornet, Vespa mandarinia, which isn’t present in France.

Despite various scare stories they are actually slightly smaller than the European Hornet, Vespa crabro. with queens up to 30mm, and workers up to 25mm. They are easily recognisable by their appearance and difficult to confuse with any other species. The thorax is a

velvety black/dark brown with brown abdominal segments. Each abdominal segment has a narrow posterior yellow border, except for the fourth segment, which is orange. The legs are brown with yellow ends and the head is black with an orange yellow face. If we contrast this with the European Hornet which is a little larger and looks like a big wasp with typical black and yellow shaped banding on the abdomen and a reddish brown and black head, we can see at a glance which is which.

Their actual biological life cycle is exactly the same as the European hornet and all of the social or colony-forming European wasps although there are some minor variations with the nest. Most species make their primary nest where it is to stay and be their only nest; this is not the case with the Asian Hornet.

Starting in springtime, mated Asian

Hornet queens from the previous year emerge from hibernation and look for places to make a primary nest that will be, almost without exception, situated in a sheltered place. This could be any-where - attached to the inside roof of a shed, a barn, under the eaves of a house, in an old wine barrel, a cavity in a wall or somewhere similar. The nest is made from chewed wood made into a sort of papier-mâché and, when she has built the first 7 six-sided cells, she puts an egg in each. Within 2 or 3 days, the eggs hatch. She feeds insects to the larvae, usually honey bees, that she has chewed up for them and they mature inside their cells. After 12 to 18 days of this, the larvae encase themselves in their cells

It is now over ten years since the Asian Hornet was first brought into France. Chris Luck discusses how their introduction has impacted on honey bees and humans, and separates the myths from reality…

EuropEan HornEt

Asian Hornets


asian Hornet drinking © Errol NiblEttInSEt pHotoS: note the different markings on the asian Hornet below, European Hornet bottom right and European Wasp far right.

www.livingmagazine.frwww.livingmagazine.fr | 32www.livingmagazine.fr

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with silk cocoons to pupate then, after about 12 more days, they come out fully grown. As soon as theses initial larvae have started to pupate she is free to make more cells and lay more eggs. As the workers, which are sterile females, start to hatch they help and gradually take over continued nest and cell con-struction leaving the queen to stay in the nest. Somewhere in these early stages the queen may decide to move with her entourage to another location and start a new nest which is typically near the top of a large tree but it could be in a bush or hedge as close as 50cm from the ground. What has become clear is that although the nests in the early years following their arrival in France were exclusively high in trees, they can now be found almost anywhere. I have seen them in

stone walls and even in one of my empty topbar bee-hives. The nest grows slowly to start and it isn’t normally until at least late August or more usually late Sep-tember that the colony starts to reach its full size. This is when the queen starts to lay different eggs that will produce males and new fertile queens. When they emerge, the males mate with the new virgin queens and the colony dies completely leaving only the newly-mat-ed queens to go their separate ways and find places to hibernate for the winter. This is exactly the same for our Euro-pean Hornet and all our other colony forming wasps, only the newly-mated queens survive the winter.

Dealing firstly with the issue of how dangerous they are to humans this has been grossly exaggerated by some news sources. According to Dr Stephane Guez, head of the unit of allergic diseases CHU de Bordeaux, their sting is no more dangerous than other insects of the same

type, (wasps, hornets, honey bees etc.). The fact that there have been a handful of instances of mortality resulting from Asian Hornet stings should be looked at in the context of the number of deaths or hospitalisations resulting from other stings every year. Before you panic, actual deaths from wasps and bees amount to perhaps a dozen a year at the most for the whole of France, are rarely the result of a single sting and usually the person has a pre-existing health condition.

Now we come to the vexed issue of just how great is the risk they pose to honey bees and as always it’s difficult to get objective unbiased information. Many bee-keepers are culpable, in my opinion, for blaming the demise of a colony on what they assume has happened without actually knowing or understanding the underlying situation. Hence there are bee-keepers that will tell you that Euro-pean Hornets or wasps have destroyed a colony without understanding that

living WILDLIFE | 23

Asian Hornets

“What has become clear is that although the nestsin the early years were exclusively high in trees, they can now be found almost anywhere.”



Chris Luck runs two websites, www.wildlifeinfrance.com and www.planetepassion.eu, packed with information about animal and plant species in France, plus a blog about wildlife and bee-keeping in a natural, non-intrusive manner.

the colony was already weak and failing which made it vulnerable. Even a small colony of perhaps ten or fifteen thousand bees, if they are healthy and vigorous, will defend itself against wasps. It’s the same story with wax moth which is often given as a cause for the demise of a colo-ny when in fact a strong healthy colony will either remove, or coat with propolis, any wax moth caterpillars that do manage to hatch inside the hive. Only a colony that has died or nearly died will succumb to a serious infestation of wax moth.

To get to the point, what we can say with certainty is that Asian Hornets do take honey bees to feed their larvae (they don’t actually eat them themselves). What isn’t clear is how much impact that will have on a healthy colony and in what circumstances? I have Asian Hornets around my hives taking bees every year and even had a sizeable nest in a tree last year not 50 metres from my

hives which I didn’t see until the leaves fell in autumn. Yet even with this situa-tion there wasn’t enough bee killing ac-tivity to give me cause for concern. Per-haps it’s because I have a lot of hives that the burden is spread between them and it’s possible that an isolated hive or two would in some situations become too disrupted by a high loss of bees bring-ing in pollen and nectar that is essential for a bee colony preparing for winter and raising their winter bees. What is becoming clear is that as they have spread over France during the last ten years it hasn’t produced the catastrophic colony losses that some initially feared. Although good news it isn’t a cause for complacency, we still need to do what we can to limit their numbers. Realisti-cally this breaks down into two things, destruction of nests when located before October and the killing of any that are seen in spring before May as these will

probably be mated queens. Trapping or killing of individual workers from May until October is a fairly pointless activity in my view and will make little or no difference whatever means are used.

Although the European Hornet will also take honey bees and other insects to feed their larvae this is a perfectly natural situation and should be of no concern. They have lived alongside each other for thousands of years and their nests should be left unharmed unless causing a real danger to humans. In most situations if you leave them alone, they will leave you alone.

Should you find an active Asian Hor-net nest between May and November you should contact your local Mairie or the Pompiers. They can hopefully advise you as to the situation regarding destruction where you are as, in some départements, this is a free or part-funded service.


European Hornets © Errol NiblEtt

Asian Hornet© Errol NiblEtt

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living landmark

Chauvigny was founded on a slender limestone promontory overlooking the modern market town and the Vienne river. The Ville Haute now enjoys a sense of relaxed detachment from the daily bustle down below, but the signs of a turbulent history are unmistakable. For centuries the most prominent features here were successive fortifications, notably the baronial chateaux constructed by the Évêques de Poitiers. Pillaged for stone during the French Revolution, the last one now stands in ruins, apart from a mighty donjon, most of which proved rather

harder to demolish. Inside is a museum of industrial archaeology. Towering above the donjon is the clocher of the 11/12th century Eglise Saint-Pierre, whose interior preserves the vividly coloured Romanesque decoration which was restored during the 19th century. To see the site at its most memorable, come when the thermals around the plateau are exploited by ‘Les Géants du Ciel’ – birds of prey which delight visitors with free-flight displays. www.tourisme-chauvigny.com

Ville Haute de Chauvigny

living landmarks | 25

Landmarks


26 | living getaway


Almost half the population of Poitiers is aged below 30, a reflection not only on the city’s 24,000 stu-dents, but also the many

more young people attracted by the re-gional capital’s youthful, dynamic im-age. Sure enough, there’s an infectious upbeat mood in the vibrant café cul-ture around the now transformed Place Maréchal Leclerc and the surrounding pedestrianised streets. It’s just as well, for the ambitious renovation and re-landscaping of some 38,000m2 of public spaces carried a hefty 25 million euro price-tag. It paid off handsomely, however, and the changes aren’t over yet. Currently nearing completion is a visionary transformation of the former Printemps department store, whose outmoded style has been replaced by two retail levels plus three more offering elegant city centre apartment living. This new-found joie-de-vivre has also revitalised the surrounding shopping areas, where specialist family owned boutiques rub shoulders with famous high-street names. Whether you’re here to buy or merely to soak up the vibe, it’s a fun place to be.

Getting there got much easier recent-ly, too, first when incoming traffic was

rerouted to and from convenient car parks like the Parking Toumaï beside the Gare SNCF, newly linked to the city centre by a spectacular 330m-long, 38 million euro Viaduc Léon-Blum spanning the railway tracks. Now pedestrians, cyclists and bus services can get right to the very heart of the town. Things went a major step further on 30 August with the inauguration

of new bus routes serving 14 outlying Park & Ride areas with free parking – and from 1 September 2015 Saturday morning shoppers and other visitors have be able to use city centre car parks for just 1 euro. Finally, you can now take the green option to discover the city by renting one of about 650 elec-trically-assisted bikes (plus 250 ped-al-powered ones) for a few euros per day. Clearly, this is a city on the move.

Which doesn’t mean that Poitiers

has lost sight of its proud heritage – in all France only Paris has a higher density of historic monuments, a fact which many years ago won it official recognition as a Ville d’Art et d’His-toire. Now there’s a new focus, namely the city’s current bid for UNESCO World Heritage Site listing. We’re only surprised that it hadn’t happened much sooner. Like the good people of Poitiers, we’ll await the outcome with great interest. In the meantime, a forthcoming exhibition will reveal the city as seen during the early days of photography (see our factfile panel for full details), and visitors can follow the Parcours Ville Modernea – a brand new discovery trail designed to reveal some of the city’s more striking modern landmark structures. Needless to say, visitors can continue to explore the history and architecture of the city centre’s principal sites by following three existing routes: ‘Le Quartier Épiscopal’, ‘Le Quartier Montierneuf’ and ‘Le Quartier Saint-Hilaire’. If you think you know Poitiers, be prepared to think again.

You’ll find full details of Park & Ride car parks, the new bus routes, bike hire and much more on the Grand Poitiers website: www.grandpoitiers.fr.

Feel the need for a revitalising change of scenery? Newly-transformed Poitiers offers real city buzz, along with some inspiring cultural events

GoinG to Town

“in all France only Paris has a higher density of historic

monuments...”

Place du Maréchal Philippe Leclerc

Parc de Blossac

Place Charles de Gaulle


living getaway | 27


Images Révélées: Poitiers à l’Épreuve de la Photographie (1839-1914) is an important exhibition looking at photographic creation in Poitiers, from the exquisite daguerreotypes of the 1840s to the explosion of works by early 20th century amateur photographers. The exhibits include early trial processes via mostly unpublished vintage prints acquired or restored for the event. Also displayed are images loaned by institutions such as the Musée d’Orsay, the Bibliothèque Nationale de France, the Victoria & Albert Museum in London plus private collectors. Celebrated figures from the early days of photography including Gustave Le Gray, Auguste Mestral, the Varin brothers, the Bisson brothers, Auguste-Hippolyte Collard will be represented, in the company of outstanding regional photographers such as Alfred Perlat and Jules Robuchon. The exhibition will be displayed in two venues: The Musée Sainte-Croix will present Art et Pratiques Photographiques (Photographic Art & Techniques), while at the Médiathèque François-Mitterrand the theme is Diffusion et Usages de la Photographie (Spread and Uses of Photography), including the press and illustrated books, scientific and popular photography, commercial uses, etc. It thus offers a fascinating insight into both the history of photography and a city which was transformed during the 19th century. Make a note in your diary: Oct 16 – Jan 17.

FACTfileearly images of a city revealed...

café culture behind Notre-

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www.livingmagazine.frwww.livingmagazine.fr

22 | living places of interest

Duty of CareIn countless foreign fields lie those whose sacrifice gave us the freedom we enjoy today. The War Graves Photographic Project is documenting their final resting places

WORDS: Trevor Bridge. PHOTOS: Trevor Bridge & roger Moss

‘rails anti-char’ – anti-tank defences for the Ligne Maginot fort at villy-la-Ferté (08)

Masargues War Cemetery, Marseille (13)

28 | living places OF INTeResT


living places of interest | 29

During the early hours of 4th November 1943 a Halifax bomber from RAF Tempsford in England crashed

into the Rocher de Bourboulas near Marcols-les-Eaux, an isolated village set high within the dense forests of the Ardèche mountains. Tempsford airfield, one of the best kept secrets of WW2, was used by the Special Operations Executive (SOE). From there underground agents and supplies were dropped into occupied Europe; this flight was parachuting arms to the French Resistance. Of the eight on board, seven perished. The following day they were buried by local people in the village cemetery.

Clinging to the rocky slopes of the Glueyre valley, the remoteness and

difficult terrain of Marcols-les-Eaux made it ideal Résistance territory. Six-ty-five years after this tragic event Joc-elyn and I found ourselves in this same cemetery. As volunteers for ‘The War Graves Photographic Project’ (TW-GPP) we were there to photograph the graves. TWGPP operates as a joint venture with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC); its remit being to photograph war graves and memorials worldwide and place them on a searchable database on the internet for families and researchers.

We soon found the headstones, their simple design contrasting with the elaborate French memorials and, as always, we paused for a moment of reflection. No matter how often we photograph the graves of the fallen we are always conscious of their

significance. Our system is well tried out; Jocelyn takes the photographs, I record. The inscriptions on the graves demonstrated the diverse nationalities that fought, illustrating the difficulties of visiting the graves of loved ones in such distant and remote spots. From the RAF were Jacques Barthélemy, Henry Hodges, Ronald Pulling and Harry Smith. With them were Reginald Nott, an Australian and Harold Penfold, a Canadian. We were also reminded of their youth, being aged between 19 and 27. Another, later, headstone was particularly moving. The sole survivor of the crash, John Brough, a Tasmanian who died in 1994, had his ashes lain next to the graves and so is now reunited with his crew.

TWGPP send us a list of sites

Bure Churchyard, Meuse (55)


30 | living places of interest

annually and this influences our travel plans. Through this we’ve seen many beautiful and interesting parts of our adoptive country, some well off the beaten track.

At Villars-Le-Pautel in the beautiful Haute-Saône, whilst photographing the graves of an aircrew, a lady laying flowers nearby came over. When we explained our assignment she embraced us and invited us chez nous. Over coffee she explained that as a young girl she was lying in bed when

she heard the aeroplane crash into nearby woods. As we left she took a cutting from a plant in her garden and presented it in a lovely jar emblazoned with the flower of Lorraine – the thistle. Jocelyn was able to explain that it was also the emblem of her native Scotland.

Another lady came to us in Vouziers in the Ardennes as we were looking for the grave of Private E. Woodley of the Royal Berkshire Regiment. She took us to see the graves of her hus-

band and her friends and neighbours. She was very cheerful and delighted in gossiping about them and at one particularly flamboyant grave she told us ‘She was just like that in life!’

We’ve met many people through our work. The Commission’s gardeners are always glad to converse and in Tarragona in Spain we were grandly driven by the British Consul in his diplomatic car to the cemetery. He holds the key to its gates.

On the Côte d’Azur we were struck

THIS PHOTO: Menton (Trabuquet) New Communal

Cemetery, Alpes-Maritimes (06).lefT: Mesmont Churchyard,

Ardennes (08)

Cross of Sacrifice, Pigeon Ravine

Cemetery, Somme (80)


living places of interest | 31

by the contrast between the bustle of the resorts and the serenity of the cemeteries, only a stone’s throw away. In Nice, away from the crowded Promenade des Anglais, we visited the British Cemetery where WW1 graves are set amongst the graves of wealthy expatriates who frequented the city in the early 1900s. We went to cemeter-ies at beautiful St Jean-Cap-Ferrat, set on a rocky peninsular, and Cap-d’Ail, which clings spectacularly to the side of a limestone mountain. At Menton,

tourists teemed along its maze of nar-row streets amongst ancient colourful buildings unaware of the cemetery set back on a quiet hillside where in the French Carré Militaire the grave of 24-year-old Gunner James Young of Bolton overlooks the sea.

Whilst the majority of cemeteries are on the battlefields of northern France, there were many actions across the country. For instance airmen are buried in the Vienne at Charroux and Béruges; in the Charente at Brillac and

Hiesse; at Châtelaillon-Plage in the Charente-Maritime; at Limoges in the Haute-Vienne and in the Dordogne at Excideuil and Périgueux.

In 1944, during Operation Bulbasket, the SAS were dropped into occupied France to cut the Paris to Bordeaux railway near Poitiers and delay Germans travelling to the Normandy beachheads. After several successes, including directing an airborne assault on a fuel train at Châtellerault, the Germans attacked them. Thirty SAS

Charroux Communal Cemetery, Vienne (86)

Rom Communal Cemetery, Deux-Sevres (79)

Bordeaux (33)North Cemetery

32 | living places OF INTeResT


During the First World War in 1914 Sir Fabian Ware, Commander of a Red Cross unit in France, became aware there was no system for recording graves of the fallen so his unit began marking and registering them. The War Office recognised the impor-tance of this for relatives and for the morale of troops. In 1915 Ware’s unit became the Graves Registration Com-mission, then the Imperial War Graves Commission in 1917.

The Commission appointed three architects to design the cemeteries and memorials, Edwin Lutyens, Herbert Baker and Reginald Blomfield. Rudyard Kipling advised on inscriptions. The principles of equality were declared; the dead should be commemorated with no distinction of rank, race or creed. Repatriation of remains was prohibited; not being in keeping with this ideology

and contrary to the brotherhood that had established between ranks at the front. It was not until 1982 during the Falklands War that repatriation to the UK began.Working with landscape architect, Gertrude Jekyll, the architects created walled cemeteries with simple Portland stone headstones in an ‘English Garden’ setting. Lutyens’ Stone of Remem-brance with Kipling’s inscription ‘Their Name Liveth for Evermore’ and Blom-field’s Cross of Sacrifice provide focal points. Jekyll’s love of cottage garden plants is evident and species native to the casualties’ countries were used to create sentimental links. Memorials were constructed for the missing; the largest of these, Thiepval, is a massive arched structure designed by Lutyens, engraved with the names of the fallen from the ‘‘First Battle of the Somme’’ in 1916 who have no known grave.

New cemeteries were created at the end of WW2; the first, Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery, was completed in 1949. The Imperial War Graves Commission became the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in 1960.

The immaculately manicured lawns, colourful flowers and clipped hedges of the cemeteries, as well as providing peaceful resting places for the fallen are often ‘green oases’. They offer serene sanctuary from the hurly-burly of cities, provide cool shade in wild and barren landscapes and are a respite from the wide open plains of Northern France.

The Commission is very active today, caring for the graves and memorials of 1.7 million Commonwealth servicemen from both wars on 23,000 sites in 150 countries. www.cwgc.org.

THE COMMONWEALTH WAR GRAVES COMMISSION

men and a US pilot who had crashed and joined them are buried at Rom in the Deux-Sevres and there is a memorial to three others with no

known graves. We’ve found a number of such burials, occurring when local people quickly interred casualties in family graves out of site of the enemy.

They even held funerals for Allied combatants, under the guise of them being deceased villagers.

It is well-known how war cemeteries are kept immaculately by the CWGC, but it is not always recognised how in graveyards and cemeteries across France local people ensure the graves

are pristine. Flowers are placed at them and many communities have created their own monuments and honour those that fell with annual ceremonies.

The most isolated place we’ve visited is the village of Laprade deep in the rain-swept forests of the Montagne Noir in the Aude. Frenchman Henri Sevenet, serving in the SOE as Henry Thomas, worked with the Résistance there organising sabotage, twice escaping to England via the Pyrénées. Highly decorated, he is buried with Résistance members in an imposing granite monument.

Marseille was the base for Indian troops in France in WW1 and many sailors and troops worked there or passed through. Mazargues War Cemetery with 1800 casualties is huge. We spent three days photographing each grave, many of them from India, Egypt and China. During this time we made friends with Bruno Mountford, the Commission’s gardener, charged with maintaining cemeteries in SE France and Corsica. On our final morning he arrived on his beloved Harley-Davidson, highly polished specially for us.

If you would like to find out more, or obtain a photograph of a headstone of someone buried in a war grave in France or any other country, you can obtain one through www.twgpp.org.

Mazargues War Cemetery, Marseille (13)

Captain Christopher James Lord’s memorial


living getaway | 37


Twist of Fate

During the recent Charroux Literary Festival we were delighted to meet international best-selling

author Kate Mosse, and to discover how France has

inspired some of her writing.

IntervIew by RogeR Moss

living interview | 33


34 | living interview


With her 2005 novel Labyrinth so far published in almost forty languages it’s

perhaps unsurprising that in recent years Kate Mosse has added Seasoned Traveller to her impressive CV. As her readers know, France has proved to be particularly inspiring to her, so I was keen to learn more about the unlikely series of events which eventu-ally sparked her obvious passion for the Languedoc region: “My family was from Chichester – still is, in fact. When I was doing A-Levels nobody spoke of careers, but more what you would enjoy learning about. I’d have loved to have read history, but for Oxford I would have needed a modern language, and I had Latin. I loved English, though, and thought how amazing it would be to go and study writers there.” Having done so she emerged armed with a BA, but it would be a long time before Kate would think of becoming a writer herself: “When I left Oxford I had no idea what I wanted to do but as my parents had seen to it that I’d had proper secretarial training, I went to a temping agency in London and was sent to a publishing company, who offered me a full-time job. Ten years later I got a very, very big job offer and asked myself whether I really wanted to be a publisher. I knew that if I said yes I’d be stuck, so I said ‘I’m off!’ and started writing.”

But what, exactly? After years of expe-rience working with authors, suddenly finding herself on the other side of the situation meant that Kate now faced the age-old dilemma of how to get started: “By then I had two small children and was having lunch with an agent friend, who is still my agent, and mentioned that when I was pregnant the book I really wanted to read – about how women really felt – wasn’t there. He said ‘Why don’t you stop moaning, and write it?’ So I said ‘I will.’, half-jokingly. The next day he called to say ‘I’ve got a contract with Virago for you to write this book’. It was completely unorth-odox, but I just thought ‘I’d better write this book, then’.”

Becoming A Mother was published in 1993. It was followed two years later by The House: Behind The Scenes at The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (to accompany the BBC documentary series) and two novels: Eskimo Kissing (1996) and Biotech Lane (1998).

Clearly Kate was on her way, but is keenly aware of the element of chance which has repeatedly influenced her career: “As well as being passionate readers, lots of people at this festival are writing, and I always tell them that the only difference between them and me is that I’m published; we’re all writers. Luck plays a massive part in this sort of thing.”

It was certainly a factor in the success of Labyrinth: “I was the lucky person sitting in the chair when the music stops. I’d actually been working on the novel for ten years, and had handed over a first draft, when my son said ‘There’s this book I saw at the airport which sounds just up your street.’ It turned out to be The Da Vinci Code, which created an appetite for that sort of book. They’re actually not that similar beyond having Grail legends and being based partly in France, but it could have been the end of Labyrinth. Instead it was a real stroke of luck.”

The fortified town of Carcassonne inspired two subsequent titles, creating

what is referred to as the Languedoc Trilogy: “Labyrinth took an enormous amount of time, from when we first went to Carcassonne in 1989 until the book was published in 2005, so when it was finished I thought that would be that. Then I realised that I wasn’t finished with the Languedoc, so I wrote Sepulchre (2007) – but it still felt like an itch. Then I wrote Winter Ghosts, based on a wonderful piece of history I came across while researching Labyrinth. At the time of Henri IV de Navarre five hundred bodies were found entombed in a cave outside Tarascon, in Ariège. The period, 1328, was wrong for Labyrinth but suddenly I thought ‘I know, I have the story for this.’ I realised that I’d been avoiding writing about the Second World War because there’s so much already written, but then I found a different story and a way into it. My books are connected by place, not any ongoing storyline or characters. It feels good to be planning a series of books from the outset, because I can do all the research and write faster. But with

“When I was pregnant the book I really wanted to read – about how women really

felt – wasn’t there. My agent said ‘Why don’t you stop moaning, and write it?’

So I said ‘I will’, half-jokingly.”

Kate makes time for walking, run-ning and cycling

living interview | 35


Sepulchre and Citadel (2013) while the understanding of the place was there I had to research everything else from scratch each time, so the gaps between them appearing were longer, which never helps in publishing.”

The labyrinth is among the most potent elements of medieval symbolism originally incorporated in great Gothic cathedrals like Chartres, Reims and even Poitiers. But does it retain a reso-nance for modern-day readers? “When I chose the title I was aware that we have them in Greece, Rome and Egypt, and of their link with Christianity, but I never found out why the explosion of labyrinths in the medieval period produced more of them in France than in the whole of the rest of Europe put together. As a novelist and amateur historian it made me wonder. Earlier editions of the book have a symbol which isn’t in fact a labyrinth but some-thing my husband Greg and I came up with, and which he drew, but it turned out to arouse a lot of people’s curiosity.”

The research trail also took her to some of the Cathar fortresses: “As well as book research, I do a lot of physical research. In those early days, when there was less health and safety aware-ness, we’d ask if it was safe to visit with our two- and four year-olds and they’d say ‘Yes, of course.’ We’d suddenly find

ourselves on a bare mountain, where the attitude was that if you fall off and die then it’s your fault. Some of our research was done with more fear than was helpful, but these are not comfort-able places, and if you’re writing a scene set in Montségur under siege you do need to have been there – you can’t just do it from Google Earth!”

Kate’s passion for southern France is yet another result of mere chance: “When I was young my family had holidays in Brittany, and since Chich-ester is twinned with Chartres I’d been there too, on school trips. The main thing, though, was that Greg, who became my husband, had gone to Paris and risen to interpreter-level French at the Sorbonne. He moved back so that we could be together, but still had an emotional link with France. His mother had an estate agent friend whose agency was twinned with one in Carcassonne, and that’s the only reason we went there. It was pure serendipity – it could have been anywhere, but the moment I stepped off the train I just had the sense that I belonged here. Even though I knew nothing about it, there was a really powerful sense of connection. So we bought a tiny two-up, two-down house at the foot of the Château Comtal and over the years, when the children were little, we had a wonderful time

there. It still feels old, and has the spirit of the mountains. Little by little, I realised that the story I’d been planning would be based in Carcassonne. We still have the house, but don’t have time to go there these days, so friends live in it.”

Which brings us neatly back to travel, and exploring France: “Some places are lovely but are silent to me as a writer. Toulouse is one of my favourite cities in the world, and feels like a writing place. At the moment I’m writing the screenplay for Winter Ghosts, which is set in Tarascon. I always thought it was a joy, but it never spoke to me until I went there in winter. Suddenly I realised that there would be a winter story. I don’t know La Rochelle yet, but I’ll be going there in October and I’ll know the instant I’m there. Obviously I write about other places, but I think France will remain central in some way or another because there’s some-thing joyous about being an outsider. You make a place your own but you weren’t born into it, so you see it with different eyes. As a writer that’s very liberating to me.”

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Carcassonne’s medieval fortifications


36 | living getaway


There’s something strangely compelling about spending some time on or near the coast when the tourists have gone. Out of season things are calmer, people in shops, bars and cafés have more time for you, and wherever you decide to stop you can more or less guarantee to find plenty

of parking spaces. Better still, if the sun is shining and you suddenly get the urge to stroll along a sandy shoreline then chances are you’ll have a whole beach (or even a whole island) virtually to yourself.

One of the best places we know for soaking up the hors-saison calm is Fouras-les-Bains, with no fewer than five beaches and an appealing retro charm, with echoes of its late-19th century transformation from fishing village to fashionable resort. Today the main focus is the sandy expanse of Grande Plage, set between a tree-screened casino and a prominent fortress. An important site since Roman times, the Fort de Fouras was constructed during the 15th century and strengthened 200 years later by military engineer Vauban to help defend the Royal Arsenal of Rochefort from sea-borne attack. Like the beach, it looks out towards the Ile d’Oléron, the Ile d’Aix and the unmistakable outline of Fort Boyard. Fouras itself is sited at the entry to a slender peninsula along which Napoléon I travelled en route for the Ile d’Aix and his subsequent enforced exile. Beyond Fouras the route passes productive oyster farms before terminating at the Port de la Fumée, a popular departure point for ferries serving the Ile d’Aix. Visible among the waves between the two is the enigmatic outline of Fort Énet, constructed by Napoléon and now privately owned. Low tides reveal a 1.66km causeway, so you can visit the fort on foot (until October 30, see factfile).

Meanwhile, down on the estuary’s southern tip is Port-des-Barques, possessor of another tidal causeway, this time to the diminutive Ile Madame. La Passe aux Bœufs serves a charming 75ha island which is

The last summer visitors have departed, leaving a string of coastal havens at the mouth of the Charente for the rest of us to enjoy whenever we feel like it

shore ThingFort Vauban

at Fouras

Carrelets, Port-des-Barques

rue de la république,

rochefort

Pont Transbordeur


living getaway | 37


perfect for away-from-it-all walks, bike rides or a spot of shore fishing. Its pebble-strewn beaches are over-looked only by a few slender carrelets

extending from the headlands, on one of which stands the surprisingly formi-dable 17/18th century Fort de l’Ile Madame. The island’s ferme aquacole produces not only oysters but also sea bass (bar) and gilt-head bream (dorade

royale) for local restaurants and the island’s own ferme auberge.

Retrace your steps across the 1km causeway to Port-des-Barques and you’ll still find an authentic working fishing village, and the very spot from which La Fayette boarded the original frigate Hermione for his celebrated voyage across the Atlantic to offer help to the struggle for American independ-ence. Less obvious until you glance at a map is the fact that like Fouras, Port-des-Barques is sited on a small penin-sula. Follow the road around the tip and you’ll pass more oyster beds, after which the road starts to climb gently through a landscape dotted with mari-time pines up to a headland. From the Avenue de la Baie’s highest point you’ll not only have commanding views across vast oyster beds to the eastern shores of the Ile d’Oléron, but over-views of a collection of multi-coloured carrelets which brave the Atlantic breakers from the shoreline below. At sunset the scene from this view-point is simply magical.

The same can be said of the Pont

Transbordeur de Rochefort, the very last transporter bridge in all France, now lovingly restored to working order, with well-deserved Monument Historique status. Since the nearby high viaduct opened, its antique predecessor can take it easy. It carries pedestrians and two-wheeled traffic only. Crossing the Charente on a deck suspended by cables from a truck rolling on an upper gantry between skeletal ironwork towers is an unfor-gettable experience. Normally it operates every 10-15min, but if you arrive at a quiet period and find it on the opposite bank, simply wave to the operator – nacelier – and it will cross the river to pick you up. Here at least, personal service is alive and well.

Exactly why something of this complexity came to be needed here was demonstrated recently when the replica frigate Hermione passed beneath it during her preparatory sea trials, her departure on her epic transatlantic voyage and finally on the occasion of her triumphant return to her home port. No-one knows what voyages await Hermione in the years to come, but for now you can visit her in Rochefort, the historic naval port which built her. Before you do, though, it’s well worth putting things in an historical context by visiting the Musée National de la Marine, whose pala-tial setting in the early 17th century Hôtel de Cheusses was once the Naval Commandant’s residence. The museum is genuinely fascinating, with beautiful scale models of full sized naval vessels accurate in every detail, historic illus-trations documenting the construction of the celebrated Fort Boyard and valu-able insight into the town’s remarkable maritime history. It’s quite a story, and to tell it there are interactive displays plus free audio guides in English, making the whole visitor experience anything but dry and lifeless.

Today’s naval vessels are built else-where, but the proud legacy of Roche-fort’s age d’or as France’s (and Europe’s) biggest military port remains clearly visible in the town’s elegant architec-ture, along with a street plan laid out with military precision. Paradoxically, years of having been upstaged by nearby La Rochelle enabled Rochefort to escape the kind of redevelopment which might have destroyed the visual harmony of the heart of the town, and turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It’s something to ponder as you see the many sights or make your own discov-eries in this fascinating place.

Fort Énet,off Fouras

The frigate Hermione

Find ouT more...You’ll find more information about all the sites described (in a choice of languages) at: www.rochefort-ocean.com

Fort Énet visits are scheduled for oct 3, 11, 15, 28 & 30. Adult 6€; 7-14 2.50€; under-7 free.meet at Parking Pointe de la Fumée. details: www.histoirerochefort.com

Fort de l’ile madame individual visits June-Sept, but groups are welcomed all year round, by appointment. Adult 4.50€; child 3.50€; -6 free. details: www.ecomuseeportdesbarques.netdetails of the Ferme Aquacole, Ferme Auberge marine, tide tables and the island in general: www.ilemadame.com

Visit the frigate Hermione - 1 oct–3 Jan, 10.00–12.30 & 14.00–18.00.Adult 9€; 6-15 5€; under-6 free.90-min Guided Tours: Adult 16€ 6-15 6€; under-6 free.nB: good mobility is necessary for on-board visits.

38 | living nikki legon’s cuisine


cuisineAs the evenings draw in, Nikki shares some trusted autumnal recipes that are both tasty and simple to make

Chicken and Vegetable Soup1 large chicken, skin removed, or 1kg of chicken fillets3 chicken stock cubes6 carrots, peeled and chopped3 celery stalks, sliced2 leeks, washed and sliced2 onions, peeled and diced3 garlic cloves, chopped4 sprigs of fresh thyme400g tin chopped tomatoes4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed3 tbsp flat leaf parsley, chopped

METHODPlace the chicken in a large saucepan, add the celery, onions, and 2 litres of water. Bring to the boil and add the stock cubes. Simmer for 30 minutes for

the fillets, and 90 minutes for the whole chicken. Remove the chicken, cut the meat into bite size pieces.Add the vegetables and tomatoes to the stock and cook for 15 minutes, adding more stock if necessary, then add the chicken pieces to the saucepan and simmer a further 15 minutes.Place in hot bowls, sprinkle with parsley and serve with crusty warm bread.

Spinach and Gruyère Quiche For the pastry tart225g plain flourpinch of salt120g cold unsalted butter3 to 5 tbsp ice cold water

NikkiLegon’s

Spinach and

Gruyère quiche

Chicken and

vegetable soup


living nikki legon’s cuisine | 39

cuisineFor the Filling1 tbsp sunflower oil3 shallots, chopped very finely500g frozen spinachpinch of nutmeg and thyme250g gruyère cheese4 large eggs, beaten with a pinch of salt and pepper200ml crème fraîche

METHODTo make the pastry, put the flour in a bowl and mix in the salt. Cut the butter into 1cm dice, rub into the flour using your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Work in just enough water to bring the dough together, gently knead it into a ball. Alternatively you could make the pastry in a food processor.Wrap in cling film and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes roll out the pastry into a round, place in a 23cm baking tin and gently prick all over. Place into the freezer to part freeze or line it and fill it with baking beans if you do not time to part freeze it.For the filling, heat the oil and cook the onions until golden and soft, remove from the heat. Add the frozen spinach and the chopped garlic to a large frying pan and cook on a high heat, stirring often until the spinach is soft and all the liquid released has evaporated. Add the onions and mix in the cheese, leave to cool.

Beat the crème fraîche and eggs together, add the thyme and nutmeg. Season.Remove the pastry from the freezer and bake in the oven at 200°C for 15 to 20 minutes until set and slightly golden. Add the spinach and pour over the cream. Lower the temperature of the oven to 180°C and cook 30 to 35 minutes.

Spaghetti with Lamb Meatballs in a Herb and Tomato Sauce750g spaghetti

For the meatballs750g minced lamb1 large onion, finely chopped3 garlic cloves, crushed3 slices of sliced white bread soaked in a little milk1 tsp dried thyme150g chopped parsley1 tsp rosemary, finely chopped½ tsp grated nutmeg1 egg, beatensalt and pepper to taste3 tbsp oil

For the tomato sauce3 tbsp olive oil400g tin chopped tomatoes2 tbsp tomato purée

2 garlic cloves, crushed1 tsp dried thyme1 bay leafsalt and pepper to tasteParmesan cheese, grated (optional)

METHODHeat some oil in a frying pan and add the chopped onion and garlic. Fry for 2 minutes. Place in a large bowl. Squeeze the bread dry and crush it up, add to the onion and garlic. Add the mince and egg, mix in thoroughly with the thyme, parsley, rosemary, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Fry a little of the mix to check the seasoning. Wet your hands slightly and shape the mixture into small balls.Heat a frying pan and add the remaining meatball oil and gently shallow fry the meatballs till golden on all sides then set aside.Heat the oil for the sauce in a saucepan and fry the onion for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and fry for a further minute. Add the tomatoes, purée, thyme, rosemary, salt and bay leaf, simmer for 10 minutes. Add the meatballs and simmer for 10 minutes.Cook the spaghetti according to the instructions on the packet, add a stock cube to add flavour to the pasta (optional). Serve the meatballs with the pasta and grated parmesan if using.

Spaghetti

with lamb

meatballs

Giant Yorkshire

puddings

40 | living nikki legon’s cuisine


Giant Filled Yorkshire Puddings8 large eggs700ml milk450g plain flourpinch of salt

METHODMix the eggs and milk together in a large jug. Put the flour and pinch of salt into a large bowl and slowly add the milk and egg taking care not to over mix. Rest the mixture for at least 4 hours at room temperature. Using two 4-cup 24x20cm Yorkshire pudding tins or individual small frying pans, place a little vegetable oil in each and heat for 5 minutes in the oven, temperature 220°C. Carefully ladle the batter mix into the tins and bake for 30 minutes until well risen and golden in colour.

Indian potato filling500g cooked sweet potatoflesh, mashed500g baked potato flesh, mashed1 onion, chopped1 tbsp oil1 tsp cumin seeds2 cloves of garlic, crushed1 red chilli, finely chopped1 tsp grated ginger1 tsp each, ground cumin, chopped coriander, garam masala200g frozen peasjuice of 1 lemon

METHODFry the onion in the oil until soft, add the cumin seeds for 1 minute, then stir in the garlic, ginger, chilli and the remaining spices. Cook a further 2 minutes, stir in the potatoes with the peas, lemon juice and chopped coriander. Fill the Yorkshire with the mix and serve.

Portobello mushroom filled with cream cheeseMix 1 tbsp of softened cream cheese with chives, a pinch of chilli powder and a few turns of freshly ground black pepper. Fill the mushroom with the cheese and grill till golden. Place into the hot Yorkshire pudding and serve.

Cajun Chicken with Rice and Hot Spices4 tbsp sunflower oil4 chicken breasts, chopped into chunks6 chicken thighs, skins removedand chopped into chunks 100g sliced hot chorizo1 onion, chopped finely3 garlic cloves, crushed2 tbsp Cajun seasoning (or to your taste)1 red pepper, seeded and cut into small dicesmall packet of frozen peas375g basmati or long grain rice soaked in several changes of water700ml chicken stock

METHODHeat a little sunflower oil in a large frying pan and brown all of the chicken. Remove and set aside. Add the onion and cook until soft then add the peppers, garlic and Cajun seasoning. Cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the chicken and chorizo and place into a large baking dish. Add the rice, peas, and chicken stock, cover and simmer for 30 to 35 minutes until the rice is tender, stirring occasionally to make sure it is not sticking to the bottom.

White Fish Fillets with a Roasted Vegetable Salsa

6 white fish fillets

For the SALSA1 salsify2 large red peppers2 large yellow peppers2 green peppers1 red onion1 leek

METHODCut the peppers in half and remove seeds, then cut into chunks. Peel and chop the onion finely, wash and slice the leek. Wash the salsify, peel and cut into batons. On a large baking tray, add all of the prepared vegetables and toss with olive oil. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, sprinkle fresh thyme over the top and bake in a hot oven for 30 to 40 minutes turning the

FILLING IDEAS

White fish fillets

with a roasted

vegetable salsa

Broccoli,

cauliflower and

courgette bake

living nikki legon’s cuisine | 41


vegetables every 15 minutes. Fry the fish fillets and season with salt and white pepper. I like to freeze a lemon then just finish off the fish with a grating of lemon. This way you can use all of the lemon and what you do not need place back into the freezer for another time. Top with the vegetables and serve.

Nikki’s Tip: You can use any vegetable you like for this dish. if you don’t like peppers use squash, cauliflower or sweet potato.

Broccoli, Cauliflower and Courgette Bake

1 large head of broccoli1 head of cauliflower

1 large courgette, cut into chunks2 tbsp olive oil mixed with 100g butter1 tsp dried oregano1 tsp dried tarragon100g butter1 large onion, peeled and diced2 garlic cloves, crushed250ml cream3 tbsp Parmesan250g cream cheese

METHODBlanch the vegetables for 3 minutes in boiling salted water, drain well and leave to dry. Add the olive oil and butter to a large frying pan or wok and add half of the chopped onion and garlic. Fry with the herbs for a few minutes. Add the blanched vegetables and cook on a medium heat for 4 minutes, tossing the vegetables. Remove from the pan and

place into a large oven proof dish.Using the same pan, add the other half of onion and cook for 3 minutes. Add 100g of butter and the cream, blend well together. Add 3 tbsp of par-mesan and the cream cheese and stir over a medium to high heat, season well. Pour the sauce over the vegetables and bake in a medium hot oven for 15 minutes or until golden.

Chocolate Raspberry Brownies300g dark chocolate150g milk chocolate375g salted butter600g soft light brown sugar6 large eggs210g plain flour75g cocoa powder300g frozen raspberries, no need to thaw

METHODHeat the oven to 180°C. Line your baking tray with baking parchment or use individual cupcake cases. Break the chocolate into pieces and place with the butter and sugar in a pan and gently melt, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon. Remove from the heat, rest 2 minutes. Add the eggs stirring one by one into the melted chocolate mixture. Sieve over the flour and cocoa, and stir. Stir in half of the raspberries, scrape the mixture into the baking tray and scatter over the remaining raspberries. Bake on the middle shelf for 30 minutes if using individual cupcake cases or 45 minutes if using a large baking tray. Serve with fresh cream or crème fraîche.

Nikki Legon is the chef and owner of the Hotel Restaurant Karina in Les Métairies, just outside Jarnac in Charente. She and her husband Austin have transformed an old cognac distillery into a luxury 10-bedroom hotel and restaurant. For more information: www.hotelkarina.net

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42 | living Angling

USEFUL CONTACTSwww.sensas.comThe firm’s guide to bait and tackle along with competition news and resultswww.carpe-meymac.frCarp news and venues from the Haute-Vienne and Corrèzewww.federation-peche-vendee.frNews on carp waters in the Vendéewww.madfred-angling.comInformation on carp venues and methodswww.carpetoy.frNews on carp competitions

www.atoutpecheur.frGuide to fisheries

Discover bream, a great autumn catch, with fishing expert Ron Cousins

Hook, line & sinker…

Left: A bag of bream Middle: A selection of swim-feeders for bream fishing Below: A 5kg specimen bream

In his 1653 fishing masterpiece The Compleat Angler, when writing about catching bream, Izaak Walton quotes an old French proverb: ‘He that hath breams in his pond is able

to bid his friends welcome’. In those days they were a popular dish and it was said that the best parts were the belly and the head so someone with such a desirable dish on tap in the garden pond was never short of dinner guests.

A 21st century French menu is unlikely to include bream but the fish, whose imposing Latin name Abramis brama goes well with Walton’s description of ‘a large and stately fish’, is the focus of fishing attention for anglers throughout the country. Bream are shoal fish, so large catches can be made, and they grow to a good size as Walton wrote: ‘If he likes the water and air he will grow not only very large but as fat as a hog’.

Autumn is the time for big catches of bream as the summer weed dies away. Rivers carry the touch of colour in the water that encourages fish to feed throughout the day and not just early in the morning or late in the evening as they did when the summer sun shone on clear water.

All rivers and lakes throughout south west France hold bream, and there is no mistaking the fish when you catch one. The deep body with compressed sides gives a thin appearance while mature bream have dark bronze backs, lighter bronze sides and creamy white bellies. Some very big bream are almost black in colour and this is usually an indication of old age.

The bream has a protractile mouth to allow it to dig in the river bed and feed on things like chironomid larva and tubifex worms so when fishing for them, the bait needs to be down there among the natural food. It is also best to offer a stationary bait, which is easy in a lake but a little more difficult in a river.

A shoal of bream can be voracious feeders and plenty of groundbait is needed to keep them from moving off to look for pastures new. Walton’s advice was: ‘Take a peck and a half of sweet gross-ground barley malt, boil it in a kettle and strain into a tub’. Fortunately a whole variety of ground baits that only require the addition of water to produce the perfect mix can be found in tackle shops or the angling section in supermarkets. First choice for regular bream anglers are those that contain fish meal and sweet molasses.

The wasp grubs and the paste made from brown bread and honey baits of Walton’s time are long gone but his advice to ‘let your bait be as big a worm as you can find’ holds good over three centuries later. Add some maggots and a tin of sweetcorn and the bait requirements for a day’s bream fishing are all there.

Good catches of bream can be taken using conventional float fishing tackle with rod, reel and running line, or by pole-fishing with long carbon poles which is by far the most popular way among French anglers.

The opening gambit is to throw in a dozen or more orange sized balls of groundbait containing free offerings of maggots, sweetcorn and pieces of worm to hold the attention of bream already in front of the angler or moving along the river. The tackle is set over depth so that the bait is dragging along the bed of the river or laying on the bottom of the lake and floats carrying sufficient weight to achieve this are essential.

Apart from the difficulty of keeping the bait still, the failing of this approach is that often the biggest shoals of bream inhabit the deepest water which means the middle of the river or maybe 40 metres out from the lake bank. This is why using a swim feeder is fast becoming the best way to catch large numbers of bream. A swim feeder is a weighted and perforated plastic

tube or a wire cage, usually between 3-10cm long and 10-15cm wide that is attached to the line near the hook. Weights fitted to the feeder body can vary from 20-80gm or more depending on the distance to be cast or the flow of the river. Instead of throwing ground bait in by hand it is now squeezed tightly into the feeder so that after casting the tackle out, the ground bait coming out of the swim feeder is close to the baited hook and draws the fish right into the line of fire. There is no float so bites are indicated by movements of the rod tip as a fish takes the bait and pulls the line. Most anglers fishing this way use specially designed Quiver Tip rods that have a very flexible top section to show the slightest of bites.

Although this way of fishing has been popular in the UK since the 1990s, it is only now beginning to catch on in France, mainly due to the competition rules of the French Federation which only allow float fishing in all their matches. However, some clubs have been organising their own feeder matches and the effectiveness of the method can be judged from some of these on the River Charente during the summer. On parts of the river where under float-only rules 8kg was a good winning weight, competitors were putting 20kg or more of bream on the scales.

Whichever way you fish, this is the time for bream. There are few finer sights for an angler than the autumn sun turning to gold the bronze body of a big fat bream as he comes to the landing net...


Lasagne bedsWe have been

growing vegetables at Le Fayard for ten years now and

although constant cultivation and weeding has reduced the amount of weeds in the potager, it still involves a fair amount of labour. Jocelyn and I love being outside in the fresh air and whilst we appreciate the exercise we get from gardening, we have a lot of garden and any labour saving ideas are welcome, so long as they don’t involve the use of chemicals,

something we don’t subscribe to whatsoever.

a further problem we have is the need to water our plot, and the drought conditions we encountered this summer brought home how vulnerable our plants are. We have an ancient underground citerne, a truly wonderful construction with a stone barrel vaulted roof, which stores water collected from the roofs of our house and barn. even though it holds over 40 cubic metres this was insufficient for our needs this

Lasagne beds, despite their name,

will not allow you to grow lasagne

but they are a wonderful method

of no-dig gardening as Trevor Bridge

explains…

living gardening | 43The

Wheelbarrow Gardener

44 | living gardening


year. We refuse to use tap water, seeing it a waste of a resource that has been expensively treated for drinking purposes. Instead, we tried an experiment which was highly successful and something we will certainly continue with and expand in the future. For the very first time we went in for no-dig gardening and prepared a lasagne bed, otherwise

known as sheet composting or layer gardening.

To be honest Jocelyn and her father Bill, who for many years had a prize winning allotment in the Scottish Borders, have long been extolling the virtues of no-dig gardening. This was mainly based on their experiences on family holidays at Talmine on the Sutherland coast which is almost as far north as one can get in Scotland. They used to stay with Hector who came from a long line of Highland crofters and they would help him with his lazy

beds; a form of no-dig cultivation using peat sods and seaweed. The lasagne method is similar in that it is no-dig but makes use of a variety of materials. Jocelyn and Bill have long been trying to persuade me to take up such a method, but I originate from the South-West Lancashire heartland of gardening with its rich loamy soil where such methods are not used. I even remember gangs of men hand hoeing rows of crops when I was young. I consequently took a lot of converting, but I wish I’d taken heed of their suggestions earlier!

Although we placed ours on an existing fertile vegetable plot, it is also a method that can be put into practice on barren, sandy and stony ground or even compacted clay. It can be used on areas that you would have thought impossible to produce a crop on and the lasagne method is ideal if you are renovating or have recently moved house and want to

‘‘We refuse to use tap water, seeing it a waste of a resource that has been expensively treated for drinking purposes.’’

Lasagne bed with drip irrigation

Aubergines ready to be picked

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living gardening | 45


start a potager easily. The beauty of this method is that it is a short cut that doesn’t involve any digging or rotovating. Lasagne beds are not complicated; you prepare the ground by simply adding layer upon layer over a period of time then top it off and cover it over. Everything is recycled in one spot and it works incredibly well.

Normally we rotovate or dig over our vegetable plots at the end of the season and then let the winter rains and frosts break down the soil. For our lasagne bed, however, we omitted this and as a result its surface had become quite weedy. In early spring we simply mowed the weeds down and then, starting at one end, began to lay cardboard directly on the surface, remembering to remove any sticky tape or other non-organic material. On top of the cardboard

we then placed grass clippings and kitchen waste such as fruit and vegetable scraps, peelings, coffee grounds, tea bags and tea leaves, straw from our hen cabin, prunings, spent flowers, weeds and any other compostable organic matter. The process of decomposition is speeded up if you can alternate layers of ‘browns’; dry material such as cardboard, shredded newspapers, autumn leaves and pine needles, with ‘greens’; living material such as grass clippings, garden trimmings and vegetable scraps. It is recommended to have your brown layer about twice as thick as your green layer. This helps to create a balanced state of aeration and moisture content, but there’s no need to be fastidious

about it. We always started with our layer of cardboard and placed grass clippings on top, but afterwards everything was thrown on quite haphazardly as it was not always possible to obtain the suggested quantities of each type of material. Newspapers and cardboard are ‘earthworm magnets’ and therefore an important base for the bed, but we placed the other material on top in quite a topsy-turvy manner yet it worked well. If you live close to the sea, seaweed can be added. Some friends contributed by saving all of their grass clippings and garden clippings for us.

At the end of the summer we obtained a trailer load of compost that had been made from déchetterie waste and spread it over the bed in a thick layer, about 15cm deep. In all, the bed was in the region of 60cm thick over the existing soil level. We then covered the whole bed with a tarpaulin or bache and weighted it down along its sides. We left it to ‘cook’ over the winter and did not disturb it until we needed it for planting up the following spring. When we removed the bache we were astonished at the enormous quantities of worms that were wiggling about and how well the bed had decomposed. It was weed-free other than for a very small number of that great survivor, bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), and even they were not vigorous looking. We did,

‘‘The beauty of this method is that it is a short cut that doesn’t involve any digging or rotovating.’’

Cucumbers and lettuces (left)

Peppers in our lasagne bed

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46 | living gardening


however, immediately remove them.We planted our tomatoes, peppers,

aubergines, courgettes, cucumbers and chillies in this bed which, as part of our annual rotation system, we refer to it as our ratatouille bed. So just to confuse matters our lasagne bed became our ratatouille bed!

When we were planting we found that the bed was beautifully moist and most of the material we had spread on it had broken down. It was only in the area where material had been deposited later, towards the end of the summer, that we encountered some grass clippings that had not decomposed completely. They were fairly insignificant amounts though and did not seem to affect either plant establishment or growth.

As we were planting directly into rich, moist and friable compost as opposed to our stony clay that ranges from being like concrete to

a claggy mess, we found it a delight. The trowel simply slid into the ground with hardly any effort at all. I normally hammer wooden stakes into the ground for tomatoes, peppers, aubergines and peppers, which in our ground is a nightmare. I invariably hit a stone and have to start again and again. With the lasagne bed I merely pushed in canes, making tall tepees for the tomatoes and using shorter single canes for the rest of the plants. This was so much easier than hammering in stakes that this in itself means I will use lasagne beds in future.

We were very impressed with the growth that the plants put on. They thrived from the start and developed quickly. My worry that there could be organic matter that had not fully decomposed causing de-nitrification of the soil seemed unfounded. We installed a drip irrigation system on the bed and even though it was one of the driest, if not the driest, summer we have encountered in our ten years gardening in the region, we managed to keep all the plants healthy. This was even though our citerne became empty and we were forced to stop irrigating half way through the long dry spell. The moisture retentiveness of the thick layer of broken down organic matter was quite startling.

‘Gardeningwithout work’ by Ruth Stout

This funny little book, first published in 1961 when she was 76 years old, lives up to its subtitle ‘For the aging, the busy & the indolent’. One of the first to write

about no-dig gardening, she noticed her asparagus (a perennial) was already up and growing through the layers of fallen leaves before she had begun to cultivate her plot. She describes saying to the asparagus, ‘We don’t have to plough for you; why do we have to plough for the other vegetables?’ and the asparagus answered, ‘You don’t!’. She layers her organic materials on top of her soil to thwart weeds, reduce the need for fertilizers, conserve mois-ture and spare herself the work of a compost heap. She decries the use of pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers and she is against burning leaves and wasting that most precious commodity, water.

CompostFor many years we have been collecting trailer loads of excellent, reasonably priced compost produced from déchet-terie waste from the Plate-forme de déchets verts at Angoulême. See: www.pluspropremaville.fr/ventes-exceptionnelles-compost-paillis-2015 There are many other such places where this compost is sold including Poitiers, see: www.dechetteries.grandpoitiers.fr. Find ones close to you by searching on the internet for déchets verts.

Garden notes

Leaf collectingAt this time of year it is a good idea to think about preparing for a lasagne bed by collecting any leaves from trees and storing them until Spring when they can be added to the bed. You can also start to collect cardboard and any of the other materials to be used.

‘‘With the lasagne bed I merely pushed in canes, making tall tepees for tomatoes & using shorter canes for the rest of the plants.’’

living gardening | 47

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The bed stayed relatively weed-free throughout the summer. A few bindweed plants that had survived came through but they were small in number and a few wind blown seeds germinated, but not a great deal. A few short bursts of hoeing soon dealt with them. The remainder of the potager became very weedy and a lot of work was needed to keep it tidy, especially before the dry spell arrived. This acted as a control and we were able to prove to ourselves that far less weeding is necessary in a lasagne bed.

Our crops were substantial in both quantity and quality. We harvested mountains of beautifully tasting produce; all our plants grew well and looked healthy and vigorous. We started a second lasagne bed this summer and the unmitigated success of our first one has encouraged us to decide to convert all our beds to this method.

What next? We are of course going to convert our entire vegetable plot to lasagne beds in stages, but what did we do with the first one at the end of the season?

We simply added a thick layer of compost on top of the bed and covered it again with a tarpaulin/bache and left it to ‘cook’ over winter.

Trevor is a landscape architect who ran a busy practice in the UK for 20 years. He and his wife Jocelyn moved to an ancient fermette in Poitou-Charentes in 2004 where they garden organically and keep bees and hens.

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Healthy livingliving PRACTICAL | 49

PRACTICAL living50 | living INVESTMENT

In the UK, you are gener-ally free to leave your assets to whomever you

wish when you die (Scotland and Northern Ireland have some restrictions), as stated in your will.

French law, however, imposes significant restric-tions. Assets do not auto-matically pass in accordance with your Will (unless it matches French succession law). Children are protected heirs, inheriting up to 75% of the deceased parent’s estate.

This applies to your world-wide assets if you are perma-nently a French resident, and always to French real estate.

A new EU directive from 17 August 2015 now allows expatriates living in the EU to elect for the succession law of their country of national-ity to apply on their death, as opposed to that of their country of residence.

Under the European Succes-sion Regulation, “Brussels IV”, the default position is that the law of the state in which

the deceased was ‘habitually resident’ at the time of their death applies to succession of assets located across the Brussels IV zone.

However, an individual can elect to apply the law of their nationality to all their assets across the zone. This must be made before death, through a statement in their will or similar document.

Brussels IV does not apply to succession/inheritance taxes, so British expatriates cannot choose UK inheri-tance tax instead of French succession tax.

UK nationals in France should be aware that:

• The UK, along with Ireland and Denmark, has opted out of the new regulation, and so are not Brussels IV states. The effect of this on UK nationals in France is not entirely clear yet.

• If you do use UK law to leave assets to distant or non-relatives, succession tax rates can be rather high - up to 60%, with negligible allow-ances. You should take advice

on whether you can reduce this liability.

• Because of the wording of the UK/France double tax treaty, it is possible that if you opt for UK law, your estate may be liable to the UK inheritance tax rules, as well as French succession tax, which could have significant consequences.

You therefore need to under-stand all the implications of Brussels IV for you and your heirs. There are tools available to help with estate planning in France, but ensure that the arrangements you use achieve the results you are looking for. Seek specialist, personalised advice.

Summarised tax information is based upon our understanding of current laws and practices which may change. Individuals should seek personalised advice.

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Bringing you expert advice on personal finance

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The picturesque fortified town of Rochechouart in the west of Haute-Vienne has been built upon a site of significant interest

to astronomers. Over 214 million years ago, a meteorite with a diameter of 1.5km struck the Earth at a speed of 72,000km/h just a few kms from where the town stands today. Creating a 23km wide crater and releasing the energy of 14,000 atomic bombs, this meteorite impact was one of the largest to date and the effects are still apparent in both the countryside of the surrounding Pays de la Météorite as well as the pierre de brèche stone created in the explosion and used in many of the town’s buildings.

Human history dates back to the Gallo-Roman times with the exceptional 3-storey thermal baths at Cassinomagus only a few kms away in neighbouring Charente. However it wasn’t until the 10th century and the times of Aymeric Ostafrancus, Viscount of Limoges, that the rocky outcrop overlooking the confluence of La Graine and La Vayres became the site of a fortress. It was home to an illustrious family, the most famous of whom was undoubtedly Françoise-Athénaïs de Rochechouart de Mortemart, a favourite of Louis XIV and best known as Madame de Montespan. Dungeons were added in the 12th century while many parts were modified or added to in the 15th century. After 800 years, the family sold the chateau in 1936 to the Conseil Départemental de la Haute-Vienne and today it is home to the Musée Départemental d’Art Contemporain as well as the Maison du Département.

Look skywards as you enter the town itself and you will soon see the crooked spire (clocher tors) of l’église Saint-Sauveur. Constructed in the 11th century and

dedicated to the Bishop of Limoges, the church received its octagonal bell tower in the 14th century with the spiral being added by a master carpenter in 1764.

Rochechouart is part of the Parc Naturel Régional Périgord-Limousin and has a population of nearly 4,000. Its proximity to Limoges as well as the neighbouring départements of Charente and Dordogne makes it popular with ex-pats. In early 2016, the commune de communauté of the Pays de la Météorite will fuse with that of Vienne-Glane to create a more dynamic region with 26,500 inhabitants.

Markets Every Friday and Saturday morning, the weekly market can be found in the Place des Halles, while the monthly foire takes place on the 26th.

aMenities Rochechouart has its own maternelle, primaire and collège schools with students going to nearby towns for lycée and above.

transport

With Limoges only 30 minutes away by car, low-cost flights, TGVs and the motorway network are all easily accessible. Poitiers is 100km with Bergerac and Brive airports approximately 135km.

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PHo

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TALk of the town

In each issue we highlight a town in the region to help you get to know the area. Here we visit Rochechouart in Haute-Vienne…

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Ref 0268: PleuvilleTradiTional sTone house offering

fitted kitchen, living room, back kitchen, bathroom, 2 bedrooms,

attached barn and grounds; ancient ruins.

DPE: n/a149 500€ FAI (6.69% fees included)

Ref 0269: Civray aTTraCTiVe ToWn house reno-

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adapted for disabled. DPE: D

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Ref 0254: Couhé TradiTional house, fitted kitchen,

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DPE: E 202 000€ FAI (5.94% fees included)

Ref 0242: Couhé CounTrY house with kitchen, living

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garage and garden abri. attached land.

DPE: n/a 29 000€ FAI (13.79% fees included)

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Visit our offices in Civray and Couhé (south Vienne)Tel: 05 49 87 56 86 - English spoken

54 800€ FAI (9.6% fees included) Confolens area (16), semi-detached village house with all mod comfort,

4 beds, elec heating, storeroom with attic, garage , covered terrace, mains drains, adjoining land. Set on 522 m2.

49 300€ FAI (9.6% fees included)Luchapt area (86), semi-detached village house. 3 beds, attic to convert, well with

pump, attached land with small shed 1130m2 & separate garden set on 401m2 with garage, all set on approx 1538m².

318 000€ FAI (6% fees included)St Christophe area (16), 30 kms from the airport. Pretty detached cottage

in perfect condition with a tower, B&B, 3 beds, and gite in tower: 2 beds,

dismountable pool, 2 sheds, septic tank, adjoining land, set on 6978m2 .

108 000€ FAI (8% fees included)Confolens area (16), 5 mn walking

distance away from the town centre. Detached bungalow on a basement, 3 bedrooms, gas heating, mains drains,

garden around, all set on approx 800m2.

98 600€ FAI (9.6% fees included)Alloue area (16), in the countryside, renovated cottage set on approx 3 acres along a stream, 2 bedrooms, terrace, cellar , wood shed, septic

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153 500€ FAI (9.6% fees included)South Confolens (16). Pretty detached farmhouse, 3 bedrooms. Central gas

heating, septic tank, garage, lean-to, well, small outbuildings, the whole set

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Ref. 33551 Ref. 33545

Ref. 33558 Ref. 33560

Ref. 33564Ref. 33559

DPE: n/a DPE: F

DPE: F DPE: E

DPE: E DPE: C

€ 530 000 FAI Near Near Royan, Charente Maritime Very rare

property so close to the beach! Beautiful stone country house with 4 good sized bedrooms and pool set in over 2 acres. Royan beach in 10 mins,

La Rochelle airport 45 mins. DPE: 153 Ref: 12331

Beaux Villages ImmobilierTel : 00 33 (0)8 05 69 23 23 E : [email protected]

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€150 000 FAI Near Mirambeau, Charente Maritime 5 bedroom Charantaise property, just a few

minutes from town with stunning views across open countryside. Recently the subject of much

improvement. Manageable garden. DPE: 308 Ref: 12482

€298 000 FAI Near Civray, Vienne Packed with features and

sympathetically renovated, stone built, 4 bedrooms, heated pool and central heating…the list is endless. Poitiers and its international air and

rail links is 60 kms away. DPE: 514 Ref: 11173

€243 800 FAI Near L’Isle Jourdain, Vienne Detached stone property with

4 bedrooms. Spacious layout and a quality renovation. Out-building and attractive gardens leading down to

the river edge. Poitiers and Limoges airports are 60 kms away.

DPE: 112 Ref: 10987

7 rue du Temple 24500 Eymet T: 05 53 63 22 2713 rue du Temple 47800 Miramont de Guyenne T: 05 53 89 28 65

www.guyenneimmobilier.co.uk

APS2785 - Stunning 3-bed townhouse, stylishly renovated, with small garden,

in the heart of beautiful Eymet

€162,500 FAI (DPE n/a)

APS2751 - Superb former railway cottage, beautifully renovated with 4 bedrooms a barn and lovely gardens, walkable to a village with commerce

€224,700 FAI (DPE 370 and 82)

APS2551 - Beautiful, large country house with 4 bedrooms in pristine

condition throughout offering 230m2

habitable space€318,000 FAI (DPE 146 & 44)

APS2763 - Idyllic stone house with character and charm with 4 bedrooms,

beautifully appointed with stunning garden with heated pool

€350,000 FAI (DPE 167 and 37)

PRACTICAL livingimmobilier

Looking for a dedicated Caretaker CoupleHere’s an opportunity for a couple to move to the French countryside, in the beautiful Charente department. If you can imagine life on an agricultural estate, waking up to peaceful nature, and helping out around the property, this could be the perfect setup for you!

Here Is wHat we’re LookIng For:A dynamic and reliable couple (possibly retired), ideally with a separate (retirement) income, to take on the responsibility of managing the day-to-day requirements of the estate. French language skills, even if only a basic understanding, are required. It is an advantage if you speak English or German. Basic IT knowledge, including internet, email, Microsoft Word (and preferably Excel). You will be in charge of the maintenance of the estate, the private home of the owners, the adjoining buildings, 3 holiday rentals, gardens (lawns, flowers, trees, vegetable garden), and swimming pool.Instead of offering a salary, we offer an exchange “in kind” for the above mentioned tasks (estimated at 40 hours per month on average). We offer free accommodation in a private house (100 square meters) + garden. Water, wood, and electricity are also covered. The property owner will invest in wood heating, which will allow the use of fire wood from the estate’s forest to heat the house. Depending on your personal taste and needs, you may modify the house to your liking (paint walls, change interior, isolate etc.). The cost of the materials for transforming the house are covered by the property owners, the execution we ask you to do yourselves.Additional jobs paid at a standard hourly rate include:

• Taking care of the holiday rentals which includes preparing the rentals for guests, welcoming the guests, cleaning, laundry. The season for holiday rentals is from May to October.

• Jobs in agriculture (tending the fields, etc.).

The position is available from October 2015. If you are interested, please send us an email with your CVs + motivational letter to: [email protected]

www.agence-eleonor.comAgence Eleonor Estate Agency

36-38 rue du Temple, 24500 EYMETTél. : 05 53 27 83 45

[email protected]

Other offices at : Beynac, Monpazier and Villeréal

Ref: 4299-EY. €265,000 FAI DPE: D Situated in quiet hamlet in private setting with views over countryside, near pretty village with amenities. Arranged over 2 floors, there is flexibility to allow you to use as substantial family home or as owners accommodation with a gite to generate income. Grounds

of almost 2/3 acre inc. fruit trees and a swimming pool. Double garage and off road parking.

Ref: 2468-EY. €179,760 FAI DPE: E Lovely 3 bed bungalow in very pretty rural setting, just a five min drive to shops, bars

and restaurants. The property is in good order and benefits from central heating. The garden

is almost 2 acres and includes a pond and vines. Large basement and double garage.

Ref: 4137-EY. €371,995 FAI DPE: E A superb opportunity to purchase an 18th

century “Maison de Maitre” comprising: 7 bedr 6 bath/shower/toilets and 3 sitting rooms and

just under one acre of land. Tourist village with all facilities. Ideal B&B, hotel or restaurant.

Ref: 4233-EY. €99,000 FAI DPE: N/A Charming village house with a garden. Tastefully

renovated medieval stone and half-timbered house. This property offers two bedrooms,

lounge, kitchen, a bathroom and a 300m² walled garden. Ideal for first time buyers or as a holiday

home or for rental. A short walk to shops.

Ref: 4298-EY. €145,800 FAI DPE: Vierge Pretty renovated stone house in a quiet hamlet near Eymet with garden, 2 bed, spacious living

room and open-plan kitchen, bathroom and walk-in shower. There is a separate small build-ing. Ideal for a first buy or as a holiday home.

Living

<<

We chose SolarWorld and their new generation panel to maximise the energy from every drop of sunlight. It is a simply outstanding product with over 40 years’ worth of solar know-how built in. “We have looked at other companies and slightly cheaper panels,” says Paul, “but always come back time and time again.” The slightly increased cost is completely negated by the panels’ excellent quality and dura-bility as well as the overall look. The frame has been redesigned with an attractive wave-shaped and reinforced profile meaning not only is it more robust but it is also 3kg lighter making it easier to install. The new drainage corners improve the self-cleaning effect leading to higher yields. In addi-tion, the new cell matrix has been redesigned resulting in another improvement in light yield. SolarWorld test their panels to destruction by firing hail, tennis balls, salt water at them and they even drive 4x4 trucks over them to test their durability to extreme environmental conditions. We

don’t suggest you try it though!The panels have a 25 linear performance warranty so they won’t lose more than 0.7% of their performance per year over 25 years giving our customers peace of mind that they won’t have to replace them - ever.

From Blue to Black….The Sunmodule panel is now available entirely in black – from the cells and the frame to the module corners. One of the first questions asked of us is: ‘What is it going to look like on my lovely roof’. The sleek black panel can look less visible and more appealing than the classic blue and silver, a major consideration for our customers. “We certainly think they look good,” says Paul, “if I wasn’t completely confident in this product I wouldn’t be installing it.”

TOM COKERTC WILL ADVISOR(Conseiller Testamentaire)Helping English nationals

resident in Francemake their wills

Can also help with Lasting Powers of Attorney

Living Willsand their French equivalents

Former English solicitor05 55 75 08 82

[email protected] Les Petites Doumingeas

87500 Ladignac Le Longsiret 43296410400025

A� ordable UK DesignsFitted Kitchens and UPVC Double Glazing

FREE PLAN, DESIGN & COSTING THROUGHOUT POITOU-CHARENTESUPVC windows, Doors & Conservatories made to UK

Spec in French styles

Email: [email protected]

www.a� ordableukdesigns.comSIRET: 513 577 809 00017

Phone: 05 49 42 99 41 Mobile: 0663 71 09 81

Made inthe UK

Fitted inFrance

ENERGY advicE By Paul Elliott from Ecopower

What’s in the Marque?is it really important to choose a solar panel with a proven track record for quality and durability? Here at Ecopower, we think so…

TO FIND OUT MORE contact [email protected] Tel: 05 45 32 65 57 HELPING YOU TOWARDS ENERGY INDEPENDENCE

living PROMOTION | 55

Caretaking a French PropertyMore and more property owners in France are letting out their property to help cover costs. This is normally the point when neighbours who have been keeping an eye out are no longer the solution since the casual approach which you can understand they will take, doesn’t match with guests’ expectations. You need your caretakers to do so much more than ‘let in the guests’. No matter how many times you ask in your terms and conditions of letting for guests to leave the property as they found it, it will still need a thorough clean between visitors to bring it back to a ‘commercially clean’ and welcoming environment for new arrivals. Experienced property managers will work with you, as part of your team, to ensure that guests have a good holiday experience and, even if they don’t themselves return, that they comment favourably on your house as a holiday venue.When you interview potential care-takers, make sure they understand their brief: be clear about when

they can use their discretion, and when you prefer them to turn to you. In the LBV network, we estab-lish with our clients when to use our initiative, and when to refer to them. We also make sure they have a good ‘House Information Pack’ which not only explains the routine things but also states any idiosyn-crasies of equipment. If the oven has a red button which needs to be pressed before ignition, let’s tell the guests that, rather than have your caretaker rung at 8pm (with a subsequent cost to you) to ask how it lights! A good caretaker thinks outside the box for their clients: LBV has ideas about how and where to advertise a gîte, what items are needed to maximise the possibility of it being chosen by guests. So don’t always look at the hourly rate of a care-taker, look at what you get for what you pay. We advise not to go for the cheapest but to go for the best value. You need the John Lewis of caretakers in fact!

LBV Regional Co-ordinators are Phil and Ann Michelsen: email [email protected]; 05 45 70 20 98; www.lbvfrance.com

PROPERTY advicEBy Sally Stone from Les Bons Voisins

Food shops Takeaways

Food shops

Enjoy the taste of authentic Pakistani cuisine, cooked on the spot by Ajmal with fresh and local products

[email protected] 07 51 35 28 09

TUESDAYSChef Boutonne

Parking Stock’Fouille

WEDNESDAYSSauzé-Vaussais


FRIDAYSChef-Boutonne


SATURDAYSCharrouxPlace de la

Poste

Quality takeaway meals. Main dishes start from 6€, served with basmati rice, using organic flour and dal.

5-9pm

Christmas items available from mid October

Having a party? Iceland platters and

party food available too.*Turkeys available to order*

Check our website to see what other treats are available.

Domaine de la Goujonne 17270, MONTGUYON 05 46 48 32 44

www.anglofoods.com

Open Thurs, Fri & Sat: 6pm - 9pm

Telephone Orders Welcome 05 49 87 86 62

Between Ruffec & Civray

La SiréneTraditional Fish & Chips LIZANT (86)

Frying Icelandic Cod & Haddock

PLUSPukka Pies, Markey’s Pies,

Hamburgers etcChildren’s Menu,

Homemade Specials & DessertsEnjoy a glass of wine

with your mealEAT-IN OR TAKE-AWAY

To advertise call Jon on 0549 872971 or email [email protected]

24,000 31,000 copies!More copies and more stockists mean that even more people will see your advert, and all for the same price!Call us today to find out how to promote your business for as little as 33€ (including tva) per month.

Why pay more for less?

HOW TO ADVERTISE:

Ring Jon on 05 49 87 29 71 or email [email protected] We can design your advert

for you free of charge. Pay monthly by

debit/credit card.

Charente-Maritime

Dordogne

Haute- Vienne

Vienne

Deux- Sèvres

Vendée

Charente

ADVERTISE WITH The leading English language magazine

The MarkeT Place SWSouTh WeST France

Living

56 | www.livingmagazine.fr www.livingmagazine.fr | 57

Hundreds of English products at great pricesNow stockists of Crown & Sandtex Paint Homemade food & cakes served All day

Latté - Cappuccino - Draught BeerFull English Breakfast

Fresh Battered Cod & Chips Please refer to our website for opening times

Fresh deliveries every 3 weeks

Established 2002

‘Family-run shop providing quality food at affordable prices’

Christmas at the English shop in SaintesChristmas Cards * Crackers * Sausage meat & Stuffi ng *

* Mince pies * Christmas puddings * Mixed Peel ** Chocolates * Biscuit boxes *

* Mulled Wine * Mincemeat * Turkey foil& much, much more besides

11 rue Arc de Triomphe - SaintesTel: 05 46 94 24 98 - Open Tuesday to Saturday

9:30am-12:30 & 2:00pm-6:30pm

Now’s the time to order your delicious Red Rose free-range turkeys for Christmas along with hand-produced hampers made to your own design. “But get your order in quickly as stocks are already going fast,” advises Christine. And don’t forget your gam-mon and beef orders too. “Gammons can take up to 5 weeks to cure so it is best to tell us soon of your require-ments, especially if you would like something special” explains Kelvin.

You can visit Sausageland at Aigre or Confolens market if you would like to discuss your order or to simply pick up an order form.Kelvin’s Rugby World Cup special edition sausage recipes are continuing to to be popular. Choose from Welsh

Dragon, Tartan Army, English Bulldog, French Flair and Paddy’s Luck. Also new and not to be missed is Black Magic which includes 10% black pud-ding. But see the website or give them a call to check availability as they sell out quickly.

DROP OFF POINTS:Brantôme, Thiviers, Chabanais, Confolens, St Junien, Ruffec, Tocane, Aubeterre, Villebois Lavalette.

Sausageland - getting ready for Christmas!

4, place Yves Massy, 24360 Piégut Tel: 05 53 60 53 47/05 45 62 29 80 www.sausageland.com Facebook: Sausageland

Featured Business

Caterers

Stewart HullHaving a party?

Music from rock ‘n’ roll, 60s, swing, ballads and

much more...

Check out my website:www.stewart-hull.com

or call 06 32 07 16 53email:

[email protected]

Paint, decorating equipment & hardware store

Supplying quality brands at great prices.

Dulux, Ronseal, Harris, Polycell, TorxDulux Colour Mixing Centre

Trade Enquiries welcome - trade discounts availablewww.peindreetplus.com

[email protected]: 5 Rue des Alliés, 24360 Piégut-Pluviers

Siret

: 810

295 4

28 00

017

TEL: 05 53 56 66 06

Based in Bordeaux, we are the only SwissLife agency in France to work with English speaking clients. We offer a wide range of Healthcare Insurance, Gen-eral Insurance solutions and Private Banking. Swisslife is one of the world’s leaders in insurance and asset management, Our experience and professionalism constitutes de foundation for our leading position in the market and over 2 million customers place their trust in our products and services. Peter and Lawrence will also help you to understand how the French healthcare system works and will guide you through every step of the way to help you find the exact cover for your needs.

Top up Health Insurance - Flexible Menu: you can choose to have more cov-er for hospitalisation and less for dentistry, or the opposite, you choose!Home and Car Insurance ( 24hrs and 7 days a week Assistance ) we answer in English!Private Banking ( Assurance vie ) -

advice on the best banking productsTaxes and Inheritance Law - we will make it simple for you To learn more about our competitive terms and generous discounts please feel free to talk to either Peter or Lawrence or email your query. We will be delighted to help you.

SwissLife27 Rue Esprit des Lois 33000 Bordeaux

Tel: 05 56 28 94 64 | Email: [email protected] | www.swisslife-health-insurance.fr

FoR aLL youR inSuRancE nEEdS - in EngLiSh

�Manicures � Pedis �Waxing �Artistic Gel Polish � IBX Nail Strengthener

Siret: 80236613800013

Contact Jacqueline Taylor05 49 29 46 19

[email protected]: taylormadebeauty79

13 Grande Rue 79190 Sauzé-Vaussais

Taylor Made Beauty

Watch RepairRobert Horan, MBHI

certified by the British Horological Institute

visit us atwww.roberthoran.eu

Siret 80955021300015 Horan EIRL

Cod/Haddock & Chips Fried in the Traditional way

Steakhouse HamburgersEnglish Tea, Beer, Wine

Eat in or Takeaway*Terrace* *Air con* *Free Wifi*

55, Rue de Ste Catherine16410 Dirac

Tel: 05 45 25 96 22Wed to Saturday evenings

and Friday lunchtime10 mins south east of Angouleme

www.fransons.fr

Tel: 06 51 58 06 84 Email: [email protected]

New independent golf shop stocking a large selection of

golf equipment, clothing and accessories.

Competitive prices and special offers

Knowledgeable, professional staff

CHEZ GOLFat Golf de St Junien

Tina HallManual Therapist

[email protected]

05 55 06 59 12 06 71 46 79 11

ww

w.b

odym

atte

rsba

ckca

recl

inic

.netUK trained Physio with

27 years experience.Former Physio to GB

acrobatics team.

Bussac, 87600 Cheronnac

H.P.C. PH66488siret 497 688 663 00028

Visit Alison Barker at...

Civray (86400)26 rue du Commerce

Tel: 05 49 87 16 33 06 82 59 76 87

[email protected] Siret: 509 861 902 00013

RENAISSANCE hair, beauty, nails

Musicians

Shops

31,000 magazines via 850 stockists, find new customers


Eileen Horton: 17 Grand Rue, 86160 Sommières-du-Clain

UK Paint at UK Prices05 45 78 42 20

Le Breuil, 16360 Baignes Ste Radegonde

www.btpcrownpaints.com

Licensed distributor for Crown and Sandtex paintsColour matching and mixing in-store2600 colours / 10,000 litres in stock

Fast and friendly personal service with full Crown technical services support

Please see our website for our full list of retailers

TRADEDISCOUNTS

BORDEAUX TRADE PAINTS

SAVE MONEY

Currency

HairdresserBeauty Therapist

Shops

Manual Therapist

Takeaways

Watch repairer

Need help?Bring your computers down

to our fast and friendly service or call to arrange a home visit.

Fair Prices - No Fix, No FeeCall Rees Davies

05 49 87 70 20 / 06 72 33 23 15E: support@

poitoucharentesconnect.comwww.poitoucharentesconnect.com

St-Gaudent (86) - covering depts 86, 79 & 16

Ask about our promotionsMotor, House and Contents,

Health, Business, LifeInsurance and Savings

For all your insurance

needs

AGENCES PHILIPPE BOURDIN3 Place d’Armes, 16700 RUFFEC

Tel: 05 45 31 01 51or

Commercial site at SuperU, 79190 SAUZE VAUSSAIS

Tel: 05 49 07 61 10

Free, no obligation quotes.Ask for Samantha

No ORIAS: 07009808

E: bourdin-ru� [email protected]

Jane Wherrett ACCAUK Quali� ed Chartered Accountant• Bookkeeping to Trial Balance• Bank Reconciliations and

Cash Flow Forecasts• Aged Debtors and Creditors• VAT/TVA returns• Monthly Management

Accounts • Profi t & Loss

and Balance Sheet

Accounting and Bookkeeping Services to suit your business

requirements

Contact JaneTel: 05 45 64 47 30 E: [email protected]

Profi t & Loss and Balance

Michael & WendyLe Baillat

16220 Rouzede CharenteT: 05 45 66 14 62

Cats and Dogs Boarding Kennels

Siret: 494 030 919 00018

Established for 9 years. Family run, purpose built Kennels.Fully insured, registered and veterinary approved. 45 years of animal care qualifications.

Caringly walked individually

4 times a day under

supervision.

ALL VIEWINGS WELCOME

Cachette du chatSmall friendly cattery

Condac, Ruffec.Purpose-built heated

Chambers for your catwith its own outdoor run

Each chamber is well equipped to give your cat

all the comforts.Open all year.Visits welcome.

Reg DSV – Certifi cateof capacity

Tel 0545 29 01 310615 66 38 92

[email protected]

Kennels and Catteries

www.thetranslationconnexion.com

Kate Sevoz - 06 73 56 81 [email protected]

"As a bilingual French native who lived in the UK, Iunderstand the systems, know who to turn to andhow to get problems resolved at minimal cost."

Set up of services (carte vitale, phone, CAF ...) Admin & Business issues (AE, URSSAF, RSI ...) Translation and Troubleshooting

Your Easysolution

to Frenchissues

We can design your advert free of charge, call Jon on 0549 872971

The MarKet PlaCe SWSouth WeSt FranCe


help & advicePC Support

Insurance

We supply, digitise and embroider all types of

Team, Leisure, Corporate, and Work Wear to promote

your image/business.Personalised gift items for

all ages and occasions.For anything embroidered, please call: 05 55 48 83 21 e-mail: [email protected]

Siret: 798 577 064 000014

BUREAUCRATIC NIGHTMARES?

Prompt and practical help with all your administrative problems:

tax returns, healthcare cover, family benefi ts, insurance claims, auto entreprises, notaires, banks, utilities, social security, mairies & more.

Call Alison on 05 49 87 17 60

alison@affi xe.comwww.affi xe.com

Web Design

help & advice embroidery

PDF Created with deskPDF PDF Writer - Trial :: http://www.docudesk.com

Claude’s Cat Hotel

Our small purpose built cattery offers heated

accommodation with outdoor space in a rural setting.

Les Chaillauds 16220 MONTBRONTel: 05 45 24 01 45

E:[email protected] www.claudescathotel.com

By appointment Mon-Sat 9am-6pm

English SpeakingAsk for Corinne

For all your insurance needs in France

Special discount for new owners - 50% o� the � rst year

Fully comprehensive covers at competitive

prices and all explained in ENGLISH. We respond quickly to enquiries and

in the case of accidents or claims, we are here to help.O� ces at Champdeniers and St

Pardoux (79). Come and visit us.

Agence MichallonTel: 05.49.25.87.06

[email protected]

Orias: 07007057

Hello, my name is Isabelle Want. For the past 5 years, I have been working for Allianz as an asset manager. Being mar-ried to an Englishman and having lived in the UK for 8 years gives me a better insight into what British people are

experiencing and what they need. Being French and born in the Charente has enabled me to offer some answers.I am, as always, available for any free advice on the follow-ing subjects: - INHERITANCE LAW - who inherits, how much are death duties, what solutions exist- TAXES - everybody’s fear! Annual tax forms in May, etc.

- INVESTMENTS - what is available, what rate, etc.- LIFE INSURANCE - how to protect your loved ones- FUNERAL COVER - preparing for the inevitable, unfortu-nately!- TOP UP HEALTH INSURANCE - why you need it and how much it is- INSURANCES - get a free quote to see if you can save moneyWe also have a dedicated bilingual person to deal with claims. And, finally, we have an English website with all sorts of useful information and tips on all of the above subjects.

Insurance and asset management advice in English

BH Assurances22 rue Jean Jaures 16700 Ruffectel : 05 45 31 01 61

10 bld du 8 mai 1945 16110 La Rochefoucauld tel : 05 45 63 54 31

102 ave de la République16260 Chasseneuil sur Bonnieuretel : 05 45 39 51 47

Contact Isabelle directly Mobile: 06 17 30 39 11 Email: [email protected] www.info-bhc.comN° ORIAS : 07020908

On YourMortgagePayments


PMCARPETS &FLOORING

For all your flooring needs • We supply and fit a range of carpets to suit all budgets • We also fit amtico, vinyl, wood and ceramic tile • Over 25 years experience, 100% customer satisfaction• Now selling a selection of wool and mixed fibre rugs Contact Paul on 06 60 07 54 78 or 05 45 84 27 75 www.pmcarpetsandflooring.com

magsealEffectively keeps you 3° warmer in

winter and cooler in summer

Cuts out noise by as much as 40%

Reduces condensation

Great for traditional French windows

Very affordable compared to replacement windows

Free, no obligation survey upon request

Over 85 installations in Limousin/Charente/Dordogne

Famous Furniture in France

A large range of fabulous high back G Plan sofas, chairs and

3-piece suites always available from stock.

Plus a range of quality pocket sprung UK mattresses.

Delivered direct to your door in France - Pay in £’s or Euros.

www.famousfurnitureinfrance.com

Call us on 05 49 83 03 71 or 06 06 86 50 07 Based near Montmorillon (86)

Bike Hire Property Management Satellite TV & Installation

Furniture & Kitchens Double GlazingPet Products

Tel: 05 55 09 15 73

STAR SATELLITEBritish TV in France

BskyB Quali� ed For All Your Satellite Needs

Regions: Dordogne & surrounding Departments

Tel: 05 53 80 63 93Email: [email protected]

Web: www.starsatellite.frSiret: 501 962 666 00019

Pay monthly for your advertising by card, call Jon on 0549 872971


Carpets & FittingSatellite TV & Installation Currency

BikeHireDirectQuality bike hire across

16, 17, 24, 33, 79, 85, 86 & 87

FREE delivery & collection

Gite Owner? Earn money with us!


PROPERTY MANAGEMENT & ADMINISTRATION SERVICES

Based in 86330 and covering a 40km surrounding area.

References available SIREN: 799 163 043

Looking after holiday homes and offering help with French bureaucracy and paperwork

Contact Joanna Holton on +33 (0)6 52 87 45 29 or

[email protected] full details, please visit

www.chezvouspropertyservices.com

www.canicloture.fr

Exclusive suppliers and installers of hidden fences and indoor

boundaries. Using unique patented FM radio signal

technology to keep your dog(s) contained and safe, from a small

garden, gateway to a large estate.

Tina HaTcHer8, rue des Hirondelles - 17510 CHIVES

Tel: 05 46 59 06 81 email: [email protected]

Dog getting out more than you?

FURNITURE for France is now in its thirteenth year of supplying quality furniture to properties in France. The company specialises in providing clients with a service that offers good

quality UK-sourced furniture, delivered direct to your property in France from just £99 .

Liaising with its customers from the ini-tial enquiry through to furniture instal-lation, ensures they are kept informed every step of the way. “With 12 years’ experience and thousands of deliveries under our belts throughout France, we have encountered almost everything and put that to good use when helping

customers find the right furniture for their property,” said Brian Muir, the company’s managing director.

Brian welcomes customers from all over France to the company’s showroom near Brive so they can see the large selection of furniture for themselves. They make deliveries throughout France, as well as locally to customers in the Dordogne, the Lot, Charente and Limousin.

Quality Furniture - Convenient Delivery

T: 05 55 22 31 46 or 06 46 49 73 45 E: [email protected] www.furnitureforfrance.co.uk

FEATURED BUSINESS

George WhiteEuropean Transport

Special rates to SW France13.6m / 45ft trailer

Full/Part loadsRemovals - Vehicles - Materials

Owner DriverRHA member

Tel: +44 (0)7768 867 360Fax +44 (0)1773 570 090

Fr Mobile: +33 (0)6 23 03 85 59

www.georgewhiteeuropean.co.uk

Weekly services to & from SW FranceInternal moves within France

Containerised StorageRange of Packing services available

Over 30 Years’ Experience

Full or Part Load Removals To & From France Tel: 0044 1622 690653


www.anglofrenchremovals.co.uk UK Registration 543 77 60 UK

‘Your French Connection’EURO REMOVALS

ANGLO FRENCH

WANTEDOLD MOPEDS

& MOTORCYCLESAny condition Pre 1985

I am a collectornot a dealer.

Tel Stewart on: 0549 870114

email [email protected]

E.P.S.Easy Parking

& StorageSecure indoor and

outdoor parking andfurniture storage

facilitiesBased in St. Junien, just 20 mins from Limoges

Competitive ratesPark, drop off and pick up service to Limoges airport

Mob: 06 40 19 07 36Tel: 09 86 27 14 14

E: [email protected]

Le ParqueteurSAS

Suppliers and Fitters of traditional wood flooringSanding, restoration and finishing of wood floors

and staircasesFree quotation - Devis gratuit

www.leparqueteur.fr E: [email protected] 55 89 55 12 - 06 30 66 84 51

Wood Flooring Parking/Storage

A family business for 30 years, offering a professional service

Packing servicesFull/part loads to and

from the UKVehicles transported

Containerised storageCompetitive prices

Transit liability included

Contact; Stephen Franklin 0044 (0)1283 792838

[email protected]

www.franklinsremovals.co.uk

FRANKLINS REMOVALS LTD

REMOVALS - STORAGE - GENERAL TRANSPORT - EXPRESS SERVICESPAIN - UK - FRANCE

1 cubic metre to full trailer loads - Dedicated express loadsWarehouse drop-off service - Single box, part load specialist

Professional export packing service

REMOVALS - STORAGE - GENERAL TRANSPORT - EXPRESS SERVICE

For a free quotation, call or visit our website:+34 952 79 34 22 +34 952 80 76 92

www.murrayharper.com [email protected]

' The major stockist and distributor in south west France of parts for Land Rover, Jaguar, MG, Mini, Triumph, Rover and other classic British vehicles.

' Technical support and electronic diagnostic equipment are available.

' Buy on-line via our website.

82 rue Jean Ducongé16410 Garat

Tel: 05 17 20 34 84Email: [email protected]

www.landypoint.fr

We will collect your scrap car for freeWe sell & buy secondhand cars

R.H.D or L.H.D Spare parts for saleEnglish spoken ~ Special o� ers for 4x4s

Les Tourettes - 87440 SAINT MATHIEUTel: 05 55 48 21 33/ 06 52 80 52 62

[email protected]

CAR BREAKERSC.R.A.L

LeftHandDrivePlace

We buy and sell left hand drive cars, French

& British registered.Delivery and collection across Europe - regular trips throughout France.New and used, tax paid

and tax [email protected]+44 (0) 1256 461173

www.frenchvanman.eu

Man & Van Transport

Genuine, Reliable & HonestLocal + Europe + UK runs

14m3 capacity 4.2m load length

English & French spoken“extremely professional,

reliable and very good value for money”

05 55 33 21 5987150 Oradour-sur-Vayres

Siret: 530 213 644 00012

To advertise call Jon on 0549 872971 or email [email protected]

The Market Place SWSouth WeSt France


removals and Deliveries

removals and DeliveriesMotoring

Motoring

It is a well known proverb that if you keep clothes long enough they will come back into style – and that seems to be what is going on in the carpet & flooring industry.

When I first had a carpet retail shop in Devon at the very end of the 80s, we had samples from an Amercian carpet producer offering their new, modern, striped carpets. The fashion only lasted a couple of years – mainly due to the fact that the carpets were, in the main, a typical Amercian style soft, man-made saxony pile.

But now, just like my wardrobe, striped carpets are back and are all the fashion, and this time they are here to stay! Over the past couple of years, most of the UK manufacturers have produced a stripe of some sort, from narrow stripes with just 2 colours in muted shades through to multi-coloured vibrant designs.

So if you want to be on trend, like Jon, give him a call and ask about our fantastic new Brockway ranges shown here.

Plains also available for the non-fashion conscious !

JON - THE CARPET MAN – Definitely not a fashion icon!

T: 05 55 73 63 16 E: [email protected] www.jon-thecarpetman.com

FEATURED BUSINESS

MORE€€€

FOR THESAME₤₤₤

POOLS BY JONATHANAgent and installer for several

rectangular & shaped pools including Seablue & Astral Pools

FRIENDLY PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

Competitive prices, try me for a quote

Terracing and landscaping service also available

ALL WORK GUARANTEED

www.poolsbyjonathan.com phone 0549840362 mobile 0622361056

SIRET

47994761600021

Antony WherrettElectrical InstallationsGarden and Home Lighting DesignsIntegrated Security AlarmsFire Detection & Entry SystemsPlumbing and Heating

Total Project Management

With 30 years experience I will see your project through from start to fi nish

Contact Tony to discuss your requirementsTel - [email protected]

ANDY MSKitchens & Bathrooms

from A-ZAll leading Brands

All associated minor works, modifications and repairs

also undertaken e.g.. replace Kitchen worktops,

taps, toilets etc.Dept. 16, 17

05 46 49 78 30 / 06 70 40 66 01

website: andyms.free.fr email: [email protected]

siret:50263448800014

Andy CoopeGENERAL HANDYMAN05 49 87 20 76 / 06 95 41 78 [email protected]

Anything you cannot do, or do not wish to do, please give me a call.

Specializing in Gardening, Strimming, Hedge Trimming etc.,

Painting & Decorating, Building Works,

Fencing.

Siret: 752 604 256 00012

Architectural designs, planning applications & project management for extensions, renovations,

conversions and new build.

Ian DickinsonBSc (Hons)

Tel/Fax: 05.46.98.22.01e-mail: [email protected]

ArchitecturalDesigner

Departments covered 16, 17, 79, 86

Renovating your next property?

Dreaming of a new build?Let me help you.

• Dossiers prepared• Permis de construire• Déclaration préalables

Architectural Drawing Service

05 53 52 36 [email protected]

Peter Latus BA(Hons)

Siret: 49377035800015

Keith Bassett

Part or full renovationsRoo� ng

Plaster boardingAll building works

undertakenTel: 05 49 27 52 99

Mob: 06 74 95 21 00E: [email protected]

Based 79190

GENERAL BUILDING SERVICES

Siret 487 581 209 00011

L’Atelier de FerFraser W. Eade

General Engineering

Turning, Milling, Welding

Quality & Precision

Guaranteed

Forgeix, 87200 Saint Junien05 55 71 41 75

[email protected]

Siret: 512 945 874 00018

Pools from 12,400€ ttc - installed in 2 weeks,

free planningCelebrating 20 years of installing pools in France - genuine reas-

surance for the future. We will beat any like for like

quote - just call us.Main agents for Christal Pools

+33 (0)5 65 37 79 647, Ave Georges Pompidou 46300 Gourdon

[email protected] - www.piscine-plus.com

piscine-plus.compools - spas - security - chemicals - accessories

DOWN TO EARTH POOL DESIGN

Sarl

All work completed by us,design, excavation, construction & landscaping on completion.

All work guaranteed.Testimonials available on request.

www.DownToEarthPoolDesign.com Email: [email protected]

Prices from €17,597 for 8x4m

05 49 87 04 13Siret 4933703570011

EU validated Heritage Construction CompanyTel: 06 32 19 50 53 E: [email protected]

www.strictlyroofingfrance.com

SIRET: 789 956 125 00015

Slate specialistRoof repairs both large & small

Roof replacementRoof renovations

Roofing surveys for house purchase

Chimney Removals Insurance claims

Décennale Insurance

the roof, the whole roof and nothing but the roof

Based near Civray (86)

31,000 magazines via 850 stockists, find new customers


Building Services Currency

Engineering

Pools

Building ServicesHandymanArchitectural Design

GARY MOORE HEATING20 YEARS IN HEATING, 10 YEARS IN FRANCE

Ò Installation, servicing, repairs - oil, gas, solar, solid fuel Ò Fully qualified, fully registered, 10 year décennale insurance Ò Currently offering FREE supply & installation of bulk propane gas tanks

Sire

t: 49

1827

705

0002

2

Tel: 05 45 29 68 73 | Mobile: 06 30 11 86 84 | Email: [email protected]

JAMES RICHARDSON

Imajica JoineryESTABLISHED COMPANY,

CONSCIENTIOUS & RELIABLE SERVICEFor a superior finish

in wood, tile, plasterboard and general restorationSpecialising in kitchen

fitting & creative challenges

Siret: 4811558850001705 49 87 09 63

Artisan Fully Insured Décennale

Roofing

Specialist

Adrian direct: 06 10 89 49 16Office: 05 45 61 40 15

email: [email protected]

www.robinsbuilders.comSiret N°: 4880506750013

Call now for a free quote.Over 25 years

experience

CesarConstructions BTP

Tel: 05.45.30.69.2816420 Saint Christophe

Stuart NichollsPort: 06.82.10.45.65

3New Builds 3 Renovations 3 Approved fosse septiques 3 Ground works

3Driveways 3Windows and Doors

Insurance DécennaleSiret: 517 604 997 00018

100% client satisfaction to date - references available on request

Rendering, Pointing, Full and Part Renovations,

Conversionsandrew.quick@

building-services-france.com05 49 27 22 67depts 79, 86 & 16

www.building-services-france.com

Roofing - Traditional, Interlocking and Slate

Established, registered artisan with Décennale & Civile Responsabilité Insurance

Siret: 499 474 302 00035

The Roofing & Renovation Company

Andy Quick

E: [email protected] Tel: 05 49 07 62 71 Mob: 06 47 67 57 49

www.apsmultiservices.fr

• Stone• Wood• Metal

A.P.S. MULTI SERVICES Siret: 517 487310 00015

• Wood-fi redcentral heating

• Bathrooms• Kitchens

• Renovations• All interior

& exterior work

• CAD drawings

SAND BLASTING PLUMBING GENERAL

BUILDING

The Natural Way To Flow...

All our systems are fully approved for use in France and we will not be beaten on price

For a professional and friendly service,contact Clint: Tel: 05 45 85 47 40

[email protected] www.fossefrancesolutions.com

Independent supplier of a� ordable, reliable, high quality, environmentally friendly micro-stations and sewage

treatment systems for both new builds and properties with a non-conforming fosse.

FOSSE FRANCE SOLUTIONSFosse and Micro-station suppliers

UK registration 07 15 72 91

F O S S E S E P T I Q U E S P E C I A L I S TIAN HORTON30+ YEARS EXPERIENCE

For further information please call: 05 49 87 03 63 or 06 42 28 52 31 Email: [email protected]

References available. Covering area 100km of Civray (86400)Guaranteed, Qualified and Insured

DRIVEWAYS, GRAVEL AND TARMAC

DEMOLITION

CONCRETING

GROUND CLEARANCE

MAINS DRAINAGE

ROOFING

DIGGER & 6 TON DUMPER

WITH OPERATOR HIRE

SMALL PLANT TRANSPORT

R E N O VAT I O N & N E W B U I L D

492 374 145 00026

All work conforms to current French regulations

Fosse septiques and drainage Certi� cate of conformity guaranteed

05 45 31 19 40 - 06 26 71 45 69

BTP/SERVICES

TERRASSEMENT, CHEMIN D’ ACCES

MINI - PELLE , TRACTO PELLE

Tarifs intéressants, Travail soigné, Devis gratuit

St Laurent de Ceris - MontemboeufSiret 494 719 826 00021

We speak english

DOWN TO EARTHConstruction

Sarl

Fosse septique and accredited Micro station installerProfessional, friendly reliable service

with competitive prices.From conception to completion, we will

even do the paperwork.All drainage problems, groundworks patios & driveways.

Established 10 years, french registered & insuredAll work guaranteed - Testimonials available on request

www.downtoearthvienne.com Email: [email protected]

05 49 87 04 13Siret 4933703570011

The Market Place SWSouth WeSt France We can design your advert free of charge,

call Jon on 0549 872971


Building Services

Building Services

Building Services

Carpenter ~ JoinerRenovation

Tiling ~ Drylining

79190 Clussais La Pommeraie E: [email protected]

Siret: 509 487 534 00018

Carpenter Specialising in Kitchens, Bathrooms,

Renovations & Building Works

R.S.PAMPHILION05.49.29.58.22

Registered Artisan with Décennale InsuranceReferences available

Robert Walker PLOMBERIE

Chauffage, Climatisation, SanitaireCentral Heating Installations Boiler ServicingBathroom, Kitchen InstallationsTiling, Solar Powered Hot WaterUnderfloor Heating & Heat Pumps

ROBERT WALKER Tel: 05 49 27 36 98Based South 79All work is fully insured,references can be provided

SIRET: 502 497 365 00010

PAINTER & DECORATOR

Interior and exterior painting

Paper hanging, tiling, flooring & dry lining

Areas 16, 17, 24, 33, 79, 86

ADAM BLACKABYArtisan PeintreT: 05 45 98 07 25M: 06 23 18 30 95

[email protected]

Siret: 441 490 992 00027

SAND AND BLAST

www.sandandblast.com

We provide a fully operated Sandblasting Service for Stone, Wood and Metal

Perfect for stripping away years of grime & paint

Contact us for a free quote or visit:

Tel: 05 55 76 31 59Mob: 06 77 40 95 92

[email protected]@sand-and-blast.comCovering 87, 36 & 23 but other

depts considered

Siret: 81272725300013

Tel: 05 49 50 09 06Mob: 06 70 97 59 56

Email: [email protected]: 45275539000013 RM8601

Ellis Electrique

EXPERIENCED QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN

REWIRES, NEW BUILD,ELECTRIC HEATING,

HOME SECURITY, LIGHTNING PROTECTION,

TV & AUDIO. WORK GUARANTEED &

INSUREDAreas: 16, 36, 37, 79, 86, 87

Peter AmorElectrician

Large or small projects, from new builds, total

rewires (including 3 phase) to

Having additionalsockets/lights installed

to

Conformity Inspections

Tel: 05 49 91 85 54 [email protected]

All departments covered

SIRET: 480 026 560 00012

L.D Plastering & BuildingTop quality professional

plastering & building works.All aspects of plastering and

building work undertaken to the highest standard.

Specialising in all aspects of plastering, building and ground works from full renovations/

barn conversions to any small alterations or repairs etc.

Siret: 80254172200012

Call Luke:mob: 07 83 49 49 34

land: 05 49 83 08 60l.dplastering-building

@outlook.com

Call for free advice or quotes.We cover 150km from Confolens (16)

ELECTRICIAN

Experienced,French Registered

ElectricianAvailable for all types

of electrical workrenovations, small works,

gate automations etc.Insured and guaranteed

Areas 16, 17, 24, 47

05 46 86 07 [email protected]

Siret 49376573200015

OPEN GIVING DAYAT

ON

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED NOW!DONATIONS WANTED TO HELP THE REFUGEE CRISIS IN EUROPE.

LET’S WORK TOGETHER IN S.W. FRANCE TOMAKE THE WORLD A NICER PLACE.

A Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/685819484881292/)was set up on 2nd September 2015 for those living in S.W France to offer

practical help with the refugee crisis in Europe.

The group will initially be focussing on the camps in northern France.We have set up a network of volunteers who will collect and sort donated

items then arrange for bulk deliveries to the camps.

Anything you can give at the Open Giving Session will be gratefullyreceived and will be sorted and boxed up ready for immediate

transport to the Refugee Camps at Calais.

Support for refugees in Europe and abroad.

Join our Facebook group for up-to-date information and local networks:CalaisAndBeyondActionFromFrance

MSS CONSTRUCTIONEstablished builder covering

areas 79, 16, 85 and 86. Offering full and part

renovations and all other aspects of building work.For further information, please visit our website www.mssconstruction.fr

or contact via:Mobile: 06 61 35 22 92

E: [email protected]: 794 942 953 000147

ANDY MSMulti ServicesPlumbingElectricityPlasterboardingTilingSatellite dishes and Systems for the reception of UK and French TV No Job too Small Dept. 16,17

05 46 49 78 30 / 06 70 40 66 01 website: andyms.free.fr email: [email protected]:50263448800014

Jb PlumbingKitchen & Bathroom

installationTiling

Plumbing Repairs

Tel: 06 29 90 24 89E: [email protected]

Based in dept 79 near Sauzé-Vaussais

Fully insured

Siret: 804 390 862 000 14

Pay monthly for your advertising by card, call Jon on 0549 872971


Building Services Multi services PlastererDecorator Sandblasting

Electricians Carpenters

Plumbers Refugee Appeal

+44 (0) 207 220 1746

[email protected]

Authorised by the FCA

CONTACTVIRGINIE AT

PDQFX

Currency

www.LBVfrance.com e:[email protected] t:+33 (0)5 45 70 20 98

Les Bons VoisinsLes Bons Voisinsproperty management throughout france . no job too small, no project too large

key holding . caretaking . maintenance . supervision . admin helpchangeovers . cleaning . gardening . mail forwarding . translation

friendly people providing professional help to home owners in france

exceptional service at competitive prices


Mad Hatter’s KitchenMad Hatters Kitchen serving freshly

made good food just for you!Thurs & Fri lunches: 3 courses, wine included €12.50

Fri & Sat evening menu €25 Traditional 3-course Sunday lunch €18

All by reservationFULLY LICENSED BAR | BED & BREAKFAST

Fri 9 Oct Music/Bistro with Dik Banovich (blues/country)Fri 27 Nov Music/Bistro with Martin Lavansch (mellow)

Fri 18 Dec Music/Bistro with Itch (acoustic guitar/vocals)Please ring or e mail for more info 0549 27 67 29 [email protected] / www.madhattersfrance.eu

Le Logis, Le Breuillac, 79190 Caunay

Now taking bookings for group Christmas lunchesOpen Christmas Day: 65€pp (all inclusive)

New Year’s Eve Party with live music & buffet: 50€ppNew Year’s Day - Champagne & seafood buffet (2.30pm): 48€ pp

Freshly cooked food, Menu du jour,Daily specials, A la carte,

& live music

La Brousse, 16700 Londignytel; 05 45 29 05 07

www.aubergedunoyer.com www.facebook.com/aubergedunoyer

Auberge du noyerBar & Restaurant

Open daily except Sun eve, Tues &,Weds

Café Clémence25 bis, route d’Angoulême

16150 Chabanais05 45 31 83 95

Opening hours Sun / Mon / Tue: 11h-14h

Wed / Thurs / Fri : 11h - 20h30* Sat: 11h- 14h & 17h30- 20h30*

*21h with reservation

Freshly cooked foodNew to menu - gourmet burgers

Lunch menu 12.50€ inclusive

7 Place André Bujeaud, 85210 Saint Hermine


Traditional English FoodLarge choice of beersQuizzes and Events

Lunch & Evening - 3 courses 12€

Closed Wednesdaylepubdeshalles

The Irish BelleTea Rooms Confolens Food served all day including

bacon sandwiches, all-day-breakfast, baked potato with

toppings, a side salad and more.Also selling Irish/English pro-duce & Gluten-free products.

Come and enjoy the cosy country ambience.

Weds: 9h30 - 15h Tues, Thurs, Fri & Sat:

9h30 - 17h 21 Rue du Maquis Foch,

16500 Confolens 06 14 12 54 61 / 05 45 31 23 31FB: Mary Burke(Theirishbelle)

Opening HoursThurs, Fri & Sat

10-12 & 2-5

Something Moore-ishSalon de Thé anglaise

Rue des Bouffanais, 16170 Auge-Saint-Medard

(near Rouillac)Tel: 06 42 12 03 96

A quiet spot to take a breath, relax with a cup of organic tea or coffee and a slice of gluten-free cake. Delicious cream teas also

available with 24hr notice.

Something Mooreish

Cafe Cour du MiracleVouvant

Come along for a beer, a glass of wine, a cup of

English tea and a slice of homemade cake, or a

delicious home-cooked lunch.

Open 11.00am to 6.00pm - until 10.00pm Friday evening

Tel: 02 51 00 54 93

www.cafecourdumiracle.com

Closed Monday & Tuesday

Equine Rescue FranceThe very handsome

Corran Ard is still look-ing for his forever home.

Returned to us due to guardian’s circumstances,

he’s dreadfully missing a one to one relationship. His story after racing is on

the website. He is a beautiful, easy and gentle boy, who would love to be pandered to. Can you help?

Please take a look at our websitewww.EquineRescueFrance.org

Reg: 862000830

Alcoholics AnonymousIf you, or someone you know, has a drinking problem, join one of the English-speaking

AA meetings across the south west of France.

Alcoholics Anonymous is a Fellowship of men and women

who share their experience, strength and hope with each

other so that they may solve their common problem and help

others recover from alcoholism.Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help others achieve

sobriety.

Tel: Angela on 05 49 87 79 09 or Ben on 06 75 70 89 31

www.aafrancesud-ouest.com

www.rblpoitou- charentes.fr

DE

LA M

ARQ

UE

DU

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RITO

IRE

GU

IDE

D’U

TILI

SATI

ON

Cancer Support FranceCharente Maritime

Member of the Cancer Support France Network

Supporting English speaking men andwomen touched by any form of cancer

Our helpline: 06 79 16 60 83e-mail: [email protected]

www.cancersupportfrance.orgRegistered Association W174002416

Christmas Celebration

Saturday 12th December5.00pm

La Baronniere (86)Charroux / Civray

Free entry

Mulled wine & Mince pies

The Phoenix Chorale

What’s OnWhat’s ON Page sWsOuth West FRaNce

www.livingmagazine.fr | 5764 | www.livingmagazine.fr

associations

associations

What’s On

living music | 65

Hotel Du Diamant Bar, Hôtel & Restaurant

Traditional Home-cooked Sunday Lunch from 9.50€

(by reservation)

Now taking group Christmas bookings

Open for lunch and evening meals“probably the best steak in the Vienne!”

www.facebook.com/hoteldudiamantfind us on facebook

James & Nicky 05 49 87 20 28 | 6 Rue de Diamant 86460 Mauprevoir

Mauprevoir

www.hoteldudiamant.com

Café de la Gare

Bar ~ Snacks ~ Music ~ Poolopen till midnight

Weekends 12-12, Lunch Tue-Fri

Sunday Lunch ~ ExhibitionsGourville (16170)

Between Aigre & RouillacTel: 0545 622516

FB: le bourg aka cafe de la gare

Sax sounds with Guy Smith: Fri 25 Sept Bob and Lowri sing: Fri 23 Oct

Winter Fair: Sun 31 Oct

show in Saujon, where we discovered what would become our new home. Six weeks later we were leaving the UK to come and live here.” He’s since raised quite a few eyebrows, and is now rehearsing a new blues band, which should be ready to roll out soon. Now that’s something to shout about.

Ever wonder what ‘blues power’ really means? Wonder no more; we now have one of its prime exponents in our midst.

Forever blues

The next time some-one says there’s no need to shout, just send them along to see veteran blues man Norrie ‘Snakebite’

Burnett in action. Norrie cuts a dash-ing figure as he strides on stage to do his thing, powering out rich, soulful blues. He’s been called ‘Britain’s Best Blues Shouter’, a reference to the days before sound systems when singers had to project their vocals over the rhythm section to reach their audiences.

Norrie himself grew up in the Rhondda Valley in South Wales and got his first taste of Blues, R&B, Gospel and Jazz as a 14 year old: “I was actually tuning into Radio Luxembourg but picked up AFN – the American Forces Network, broadcasting from Ger-many.” After studying Mining Science while working at Fernhill Colliery, he spent 3 years in the RAF, where he met lifelong friend (and later musical partner) Ernie Richards, who shared Norrie’s musical taste: “During week-end leave we’d go to Ernie’s home in London and go to see jazz bands. One of them had a banjo player called Cyril Davis, who really impressed me. He’d get up during the intervals to play a few Leadbelly numbers on a 12-string guitar. Cyril always enjoyed a chat and had recently discovered Leadbelly, one of the first American blues artists to have recordings released in the UK.”

Upon leaving the RAF Norrie lodged with his friend’s parents while Ernie

finished his final year: “We’d go to a coffee house beside Charing Cross Station and play blues & Americana. The regulars included a teenage Long John Baldry, who begged us to let him jam with us. He took us along to the opening night of the Barrelhouse Blues Club, where Ernie and I got up after Cyril and Alexis Korner to sing a cou-ple of Leadbelly numbers ourselves.”

It was a lot of fun but in 1958 it didn’t exactly seem like a career option: “Ernie wanted to work on the Union Castle liners to South Africa, but as no-one wanted to travel in the heat of summer there were few trips then. Instead we took jobs at a holiday camp on the Isle of Wight. Ernie met a girl there, married her and left, but I stayed on, as it gave me a fair bit of stage time. If I hadn’t done that summer season things might have worked out differ-ently – Alexis and Cyril didn’t have strong voices, and Long John said that I could sing far better than he could, so I might have ended up fronting Blues Incorporated...”

Norrie never stopped performing, though, building a formidable repu-tation on the UK blues circuit, with sojourns to the USA. Eventually he and his wife Lin started coming to France around the time of Cognac Blues Pas-sions. “Then one year our usual gîte wasn’t available, so instead we were of-fered somewhere in Sablonceaux. We didn’t know it was so far from Cognac, but we liked it. One evening the gîte owner suggested we go to a flower

MUpBeat

© Ia

n W

Ilson

, autograpph R

acing


66 | living books

Former BBC books reviewer, Sandie George, takes a look at the latest French and English bestsellers.

Career Changing Opportunities - with excellent earning potentialWe are currently recruiting independent sales agents in:

CHARENTE: La Rochefoucauld, Rouillac DORDOGNE: MussidanCHARENTE-MARITIME: Surgères, Montguyon, Montlieu-la-Garde, Matha, Rochefort

DEUX-SEVRES: Prahecq, Celles-sur-Belle, Thouars, Beauvoir sur Niort, Mauzé sur le MignonLIMOUSIN/CREUSE: Nexon, Limoges, Montlucon, Vichy and Clermont Ferrand

VENDEE: All INDRE ET LOIRE: Chinon LOIR ET CHER: BloisMAINE ET LOIRE: Saumur, Angers LOIRET: Orléans

LOT: Figeac, Gramat TARN: Cordes sur Ciel TARN ET GARONNE: Moissac

Full training provided

Call Sarah Edwards: Tel: 06 66 58 94 66


www.leggettfrance.comLooking to buy or sell? We have thousands of properties on our website, local knowledge you can trust.

Sagan PariS 1954 by anne BereSt publisher gallic Books

1954 is the year Françoise Sagan became a literary legend at the age of 18. This is a quirky but fascinating discourse on how Françoise and her brother selected publishing houses for her manuscripts to be read and how the events that followed very quickly changed the course of her life. There are brief biographical scenes creating a very interesting insight into the world of Sagan.

Picnic in Provence by elizaBeth Bard publisher Summersdale

Living in Paris and pregnant with her first child, Elizabeth and her French husband take a holiday in Provence and fall in love with a village house where René Char wrote poetry. On an impulse they buy it, and this is a very amusing account of their radical changes in lifestyle and their permanent move to Provence. At the end of each chapter are recipes that have been mouth-wateringly featured.

houSe rivalS by Mike lawSon publisher grove Press

As a fixer for influential congressman John Mahoney

in Washington, D.C., Joe DeMarco has found himself in plenty of unexpected and dangerous situations. DeMarco is taken further out of his element than ever before, sent to North Dakota to protect a passionate but naïve Sarah who has put herself in harm’s way, and is Mahoney’s godchild. DeMarco tries to identify the adversaries and the situation turns unexpectedly violent. Great page-turner.

city of wiSdoM and Blood by roBert Merle publisher Pushkin Press

This is the second book (of 13) in the

sweeping epic “Fortunes of France” which began with ‘The Brethren’. These earthy tales of lust, peril, love and death with lots of political intrigue are well translated with rich historical detail. Jean de Sorac and Jean de Sauveterre, veterans of the French King’s wars, move to the Périgord region, but religious wars are on the horizon and our two heroes are soon involved in swashbuckling adventures.

the little PariS BookShoP by nina george publisher abacus

Monsieur Perdu calls himself a

literary apothecary. From his lovingly restored floating bookstore in a barge on the Seine, he prescribes novels for the hardships of life. The only person he cannot seem to heal through literature is himself; he’s still haunted by heartbreak after his great love disappeared. She left him with only a letter which, after 20 years, he reads. A typical, romantic French novel with empathy and fun.

LivingRecommended Bestsellers:

Make Me by Lee Child, publisher Bantam Press

Simply nigella: feel good food by Nigella Lawson, publisher Chatto & Windus

the churchill factor by Boris Johnson, publisher Hodder Paperbacks

the Shepherd’s crown by Terry Pratchett, publisher Doubleday

grandpa’s great escape by David Walliams, publisher HarperCollins Children

Book reviews

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LONDONDAILY FLIGHTS FROM BERGERAC

INFORMATION ON www.bergerac.aeroport.fr

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living magazine october/november 15

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